Pandemic experience sparks career change for Neilston mum

The coronavirus pandemic put life into perspective for many but for one Neilston mum, it inspired a change of career.Kirsty Johnstone’s experience of giving birth during the crisis has embarked on a journey to retrain as a midwife, spurred on by her own experience and the care she received.The 28-year-old Renfrewshire woman is now juggling her first year of midwifery studies at the Paisley-based University of the West of Scotland.Kirsty, mum to three-year-old Charlie and Ella, one, spoke of her experiences to mark International Day of the Midwife yesterday (Thursday).She said: “I’m not quite sure how I do it.

Lots of studying once the kids are in bed. I enjoy a challenge!”Before the pandemic, Kirsty worked as a travel agent for a small Glasgow-based company specialising in world tours.But she told how she was headed for a new destination herself after her pregnancy, saying: “It was March 2020 and I was 20 weeks pregnant with my daughter when I was furloughed.

While it gave me the chance to relax a bit and enjoy my pregnancy, it was also an uncertain time both from a job perspective and being pregnant in a world pandemic.”When her daughter was born in August 2020, Kirsty began maternity leave before being furloughed again in 2021.She said: “I made the decision just after Ella was born to get myself a proper career.

I had loved being pregnant both times and had been fascinated with the whole process.“Holly was my community midwife with Charlie and all the way through with Ella, so we built up a very special bond.