The TikTok star sharing her journey into motherhood and midwifery
By: Communications
Meet Beth Gibson-Hill – an inspiring young mum, midwifery student, and TikTok star all in one.
Beth, who is currently in her first year of studying midwifery at UEA, began sharing her life as a young mum on TikTok two years ago, inspiring followers with her honest content about balancing parenting and student life. Her account, Maeve’s Mummy, now has nearly 57,000 followers.
“I actually first started filming when I was pregnant,” says Beth. “I filmed my experience in hospital, and it just went from there. I loved sharing every experience I had because I was quite a young mum, and I’d just moved into my council house as well. So that was like my niche.
“I think people like following my journey because it’s not one that’s really represented in the media. I feel like I show the reality of motherhood; it’s not always sunshine and rainbows! But overall, it is positive. I still can't believe that people actually want to follow me!”
On raising her two-year-old daughter while studying at university, Beth said: “Parenting and being a university student is tough, especially as we're going through the ‘terrible twos’ right now. Things get thrown everywhere and it's a bit of a challenge, but it's just the most rewarding thing ever. Coming home as she's waiting at the door for me is so nice. I feel so proud to be her mum.”
It was at Beth’s first hospital appointment, at eight weeks pregnant, that she was inspired to study for a new career: “A student midwife from UEA was there and she was so lovely and kind to me. At the time, no one else knew I was pregnant, and I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do; it was really scary. But after that appointment, I knew that I wanted to study midwifery and I set that as my main focus.
“I went on to do an access course, and then I had an interview. At the time it was like a dream and now it's a reality – I can barely believe it’s been a year since I had my interview!
“From day one, everyone at UEA has been so lovely – all the lecturers, everyone in my cohort, and I just feel like this is where I belong. Starting university as a mature student at 25, I was a bit worried that I wouldn't fit in and would be the odd one out as everyone else would be out partying, but that hasn't been the case. I made friends with other mums on the course really quickly too, everyone is so kind and we support each other.”
So far, Beth is enjoying the hands-on aspects of the course: “I just love learning everything about midwifery. I love the clinical skills days because we get really involved; even simple things like practising on a model and then doing it on a real person is amazing. And going out on placement has solidified that I definitely want to do this as my career.”
When she finishes the course and becomes a qualified midwife, Beth is looking forward to teaching new students and the possibility of overseas travel: “I think working alongside other students will be an incredible experience because I’ll have been through it all myself. And midwifery could literally take me anywhere. Who knows? I could go to Australia, do the exact same job, and share my experience out there.”