MIDWIVES will get together at Bradford Royal Infirmary tomorrow to celebrate the vital role they play in improving mums and babies’ health.

International Day of the Midwife is the internationally recognised day for highlighting the work of midwives here in the UK and across the world.

Head of Midwifery at the Foundation Trust, which runs the BRI and St Luke’s Hospital, Sara Keogh, said: “International Day of the Midwife is a great opportunity to celebrate the fantastic work our midwifery team do in providing a quality and safe experience for women and their families throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.

This year’s theme is Midwives, Mother and Families and Bradford’s midwives will be raising awareness of charity Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP) by hosting a mums’ and babies’ music session.

Postpartum Psychosis is a severe mental illness which begins suddenly following childbirth. Symptoms include hallucinations and delusions, often with mania, depression or confusion.

More than 1,400 women experience PP each year in the UK, that is one to two mothers in every 1,000 mothers.

Tomorrow, midwives at the BRI will also be having a guess the name of the bunny competition to raise funds for the APP charity as well as hosting a bake-off and a tea party with new mums.

The BRI’s maternity service provides antenatal and postnatal care to around 6,000 women every year.

Airedale Hospital’s midwives will also be highlighting their work to the public on Saturday by visiting Airedale shopping centre in Keighley from 9am to 4pm to answer questions and give tips for new mums and mums-to-be.