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Coventry mum retraining as midwife after life‑changing maternity experiences
Midwifery student Clare Scruby in a mock maternity ward at Coventry University.
University news / Student news
Thursday 30 April 2026
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A Coventry mum has swapped the classroom for the delivery suite after her own maternity experiences inspired her to help others.
After five years of teaching at primary school, Clare Scruby decided to follow in the footsteps of her mum, auntie and nan and pursue a career in healthcare.
The 28‑year‑old’s decision was shaped by a positive birth experience when she had her daughter Rose and a traumatic ectopic pregnancy.
Now in her second year of a midwifery degree at Coventry University, Clare, from Radford, has already helped welcome 20 babies into the world while juggling her studies as a mum to her now seven‑year‑old daughter.
I’ve had both really positive and really difficult experiences in maternity care. If I can use those experiences - and say what I wish someone would have said to me - to make things easier for someone else, then that’s got to be worth it.
I really want to help people in the moments they’ll remember forever.
Clare Scruby, midwifery student at Coventry University
Following her ectopic pregnancy - when a fertilised egg implants itself outside the uterus - during the COVID‑19 pandemic, Clare completed additional bereavement training with baby loss charity Abigail’s Footsteps as part of her degree and fundraises for Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity.
I needed emergency surgery and was discharged the next day, with no-one allowed to be with me. It was a really frightening time and it made me realise how important the words you use are. Sometimes people don’t need fixing - they just need someone to be there and understand what they’re going through.
I want to help people by being the person I needed - someone who listens, understands and is just there when it matters.
Clare Scruby, midwifery student at Coventry University
After leaving teaching, Clare took on a clinical support worker role in maternity while completing an access course, before starting her midwifery degree in 2024.
I really enjoyed teaching but I got to a point where I knew I needed a better balance and a career that suited me long‑term. Working in maternity just felt right.
Clare Scruby, midwifery student at Coventry University
Clare says many of the skills she developed as a teacher have transferred naturally into midwifery.
Communication and organisation are huge transferable skills. Teaching gives you structure and confidence, and that’s helped me feel more secure as a student midwife.
Clare Scruby, midwifery student at Coventry University
I wrote the book to help student midwives feel more organised and confident, especially in the early stages of training, because I know how overwhelming it can feel at first.
Clare Scruby, midwifery student at Coventry University
I genuinely couldn’t do this degree without my parents or my partner. They’ve been incredible and my daughter is my biggest inspiration - she now wants to be a midwife too, and I’m so proud of her.
Clare Scruby, midwifery student at Coventry University
Clare, who is on track to qualify in 2027, hopes her story will encourage others considering a career change later in life.
Do your research and make sure you understand your options. There is support out there - student finance and help for parents made a big difference for me.
If it’s something you really want to do, and it’s going to make you happier in the long run, it’s absolutely worth going for.
Clare Scruby, midwifery student at Coventry University
Find out more about studying midwifery at Coventry University and discover Clare’s book.
