ABSTRACT
Interviewing the midwives was interesting not only for what was said, but also for the way in which it was said. Pride, enthusiasm, pleasure and joy were revealed in the way many of the midwives reminisced or reflected on their experiences of the Birth Centre. This reinforced what was being said in words, and what those words spoke of was the importance of the Birth Centre to them as an opportunity to actualise their dream of midwifery:
When I was offered the post … I was ecstatic, it was my dream job … true woman-centred care without any intervention or meddling. (Midwife 2)
When I first got the job at the Birth Centre I felt as though all my Christmases had come at once … I felt it was my chance to practise as a true midwife … it was fantastic … it was right up my street. (Midwife 3)
