Shelly MacGregor, 33, lives in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, with her partner Jonathan, 38, and their children James, 10, Robbie, 5, and William, 1
W
orking on the maternity ward at Princess Anne Hospital, in Southampton, we’re all expected to do unsociable hours over the festive season – it’s just part of the job.
I qualified as a nurse ten years ago and have been a midwife for the last six, and in all those years there’s only been two Christmases I haven’t worked – both times because I was busy having my own babies! But as a mum of three young boys I also have to think about my family, because there are certain precious moments you just can’t get back – like watching your children’s eyes light up when they realise Santa has been! To me, it’s really important to be there with Jonathan when our children open their presents and for us all to have a meal together. I’ll always work on Christmas Day, but I try to get a shift as late as possible so we can have our special family time before I leave. There have been occasions I’ve
had to work early – one year, when James was little, I missed him opening his presents, which was hard for me, even though he was too young to understand. But Jonathan saved some for when I got home and we ate our dinner later than usual. This year I’m doing the night
shift, so I’ll start work at 8.30pm on Christmas night and finish at 7.30am on Boxing Day. It’s a bit frustrating because it means I can’t have a drink with Christmas dinner, and it can be tiring after doing all the
cooking and dealing with three very excited little boys! But while the children are still young, I’d rather do that than work earlier and be home when the kids are in bed. When it’s time to leave for my shift, I tell the boys I’m
off to work to have some girly time with the midwives and new mums. Jonathan’s an engineer and always has time off at Christmas, so he’s there to spend the rest of the day with the boys and put them to bed. There’s such a lovely atmosphere on the ward on Christmas Day that it’s actually quite a nice shift to do. There are festive decorations everywhere and on the labour ward there’s a little crib that we put tinsel around, which we reserve for the first baby born on Christmas Day. The consultants bring in a big basket of
food, so there are chocolates and nibbles everywhere for the staff and we all put tinsel in our hair. And of course we make a real fuss of the Christmas babies and the new mums. Last year, they were all given a little present for their new baby. The mums who are having their first babies get the most excited but those who already have children can
feel a little frustrated because they just want to be at home with the rest of their family. I can relate to how they feel, as I’d really love to be at home too. But I always go in with a positive attitude because I love my job and the hospital needs us there, no matter what day it is. And working unsociable hours at Christmas just means that I treasure every single moment I do get at home on the day to spend with my four favourite boys!