Former business analyst Christina Carde has delivered a new mid-life career for herself as a midwife at the age of 46.
The Bokarina mum of two teens has swapped the world of investment management and finance for the birthing suite after graduating with her third degree.
Ms Carde completed a Bachelor of Midwifery, scoring a University Medal for Academic Excellence from the University of the Sunshine Coast after earning a grade point average of 6.82 out of 7.
Studying at USC was a family affair, with her husband Richard almost completing a Master of Cyber Investigations and Forensics and her eldest son also enrolled to study Information and Communication Technology this year.
“Our sons have been really proud of our achievements,” said Ms Carde.
“Seeing their parents return to study demonstrated the importance of lifelong learning and it even alleviated the pressures that school leavers have, thinking they have to choose a lifelong career path immediately.
“We had to work as a team to juggle assignments, exam study and clinical placements alongside work commitments, family birthdays, school sporting fixtures and homework support, so communication and organisation was incredibly important.”
Ms Carde said it had been a long-held dream to become a midwife.
“I had two very different birth journeys and I felt that I had a lot to offer in terms of my lived experiences,” she said.
“My own experience of a traumatic birth and a personal struggle with the undiagnosed postpartum PTSD have ensured that I’m aware of the significant role that a midwife has in identifying and supporting mothers most at risk.”
Ms Carde has been offered a position in the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service 2021 graduate program to complete her professional practice.
“I’m really looking forward to this tremendous opportunity to consolidate my practical and theoretical midwifery knowledge as I move into professional practice,” she said.
“My long-term goal is to bring about positive change in Queensland maternity services to support more women with perinatal mental health vulnerabilities and to strengthen their capacity as new mothers.”
She will work alongside colleagues from her previous job as a business analyst for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS).
“I chose the midwifery profession during my time at the SCHHS because I saw the significant impact that the incredible midwifery team were having on the health and wellbeing of the women and families within our region,” she said.
Ms Carde, who is treasurer of the Queensland Branch of the Australian College of Midwives (ACM), published research during her degree on the role of technology in midwifery.
“I had articles in the Australian Midwifery News, presented at the national conference in Canberra and received the 2019 ACM Queensland Student Scholarship,” she said.
“With the ACM, I have had the opportunity to participate in the review of policy and guidelines, develop education opportunities for midwives and advocate for the profession.”
Ms Carde said the USC midwifery teaching team was inspirational.
“I loved attending lectures, listening to their clinical experiences and approaches, and participating in engaging and thought-provoking discussions with students,” she said.
“A highlight was my involvement in the Connect program, where students partnered with 10 women throughout the degree to support their pregnancy, birth and postpartum care.”
