North Eastern Community Hospital midwife Delice Sauerwald crowned South Australia best midwife

The gift of a nurse costume inspired the 34-year career of SA’s best midwife. See the state’s top five as voted by you.

At just seven years old, Delice Sauerwald was given a nurse costume that ignited her passion for helping others.

Now 58, Mrs Sauerwald was reduced to tears when she discovered she had been crowned South Australia’s best midwife as voted by the public in the Messenger’s latest best of poll.

“I was just grateful to even be recognised, then my boss told me I was in the top 20,” Mrs Sauerwald said.

“I work with a lot of beautiful midwives – it’s incredibly humbling.

South Australia’s best midwife, Delice Sauerwald holding Maze, five weeks, at North Eastern Community Hospital in Campbelltown. Picture: Matt Loxton

“It’s nice to know that you’re appreciated but I don’t do my job for any accolades; I do it because I just want to give the best care to women.”

Starting her career at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in 1987, Ms Sauerwald spent her first seven years as a midwife focused on the importance of “whole body care”.

She studied psychological nursing in addition to her registered nursing degree so she could assist women through the pre-, inter- and post-partum pregnancy process.

“After working with women for 34 years, it’s still very pertinent to me how amazing our bodies are – and the power of women,” Ms Sauerwald said.

“I’m very big on counselling, postnatal and antenatal mental health.”

Mrs Sauerwald has now been a midwife at North Eastern Community Hospital for 27 years, hosts antenatal classes and also works as a clinical demonstrator at the University of South Australia.

“I had a midwife tell me one day ‘we need to get all that is in your head, out’ so consequently I started teaching at UniSA to share that knowledge,” she said.

Delice Sauerwald and five-week-old Maze celebrate her win at North Eastern Community Hospital. Picture: Matt Loxton

“I love watching the midwives blossom and gain confidence.”

Mrs Sauerwald’s career highlight was educating midwives and mothers in Palin, Cambodia.

“I had the privilege of being involved in a birth there and once the baby was born the mother turned to me and asked, in broken English, to give her child a name,” she said.

“We ended up naming the baby after a Cambodia mountain – it was very powerful.”

She is approaching a new phase in her career – Mrs Sauerwald plans to travel Australia next year with husband Rick in their newly renovated motorhome. But travel won’t stop her shedding her light and wisdom.

“It’s going to be hard to stop cold turkey, so I was hoping to do some holiday relief as we travel around our beautiful country,” she said.

“I feel very privileged to be a part of a very special time in a woman’s life.

“Working at NECH I am able to be a part of their journey, look after them in pregnancy, during birth and help them care for their new addition.

“Becoming a parent is the best job anyone can have.

“Being a midwife is second best and I’m fortunate to have the two best jobs.”

SA’S TOP FIVE BEST MIDWIVES

1. Delice Sauerwald – North Eastern Community Hospital

2. Virginia Amann – Ashford Hospital

3. Britt Martin – Mount Barker District Soldiers Hospital

4. Wendy Farrugia – Port Pirie Regional Health Service

5. Laura Paterson – Women’s and Children’s Hospital