My story

My full name is Bolanle Adebayo, "Bo" is a nickname a friend from secondary school gave me, but I also go by Fatima. I know...confusing. I'm a Nigerian homebirth midwife in Barcelona, Spain.

I started my midwifery journey in Ireland at the age of 17. I didn't realise what I was getting myself into. All I knew is that I wanted to work with people in a holistic manner (with love) but also with biology. I remember the first time I stepped unto the labour (yes at 17) and my brain just couldn't put together the huge gap between ideal midwifery and the unfortunate reality of midwifery. This was such a big deal to me that I contemplated on changing courses. Fortunately, I found one midwife who really tried to hold unto true midwifery values (i.e. truly being with-woman). Her, as well as a book entitled "Childbirth Without Fear" by Grantly Dick-Read, were the push I needed in that moment.

My journey as a student midwife lasted for 5 years, wherein I worked in the oldest maternity hospital in Europe, another Irish hospital, a homebirth team in the Netherlands, a private hospital in Nigeria, a private hospital in Takoradi, Ghana, two Tanzanian hospitals and with a traditional homebirth midwife called Bibi :D. I also came to Barcelona in 2022 (it was a quick visit) to observe how homebirth midwives work.

What did all of this experience teach me?

It taught me that birth works...yes even breech and twins, it's our fear as professionals and as women that gets in the way. It taught me that midwifery can never be monopolised. That, the voices of midwives working outside of the Westernised system deserve to be heard. Moreover, it taught me the importance of going back to my roots (spiritual & cultural).

What do I do now?

As previously mentioned I'm currently in Barcelona, Spain working as a homebirth midwife and childbirth educator. Previously, my plan was to work in Zanzibar for a full year (I ended up staying for four months). I'm grateful to God for my Zanzibari experience as it helped ground my confidence in birth. However, I'm also happy to move on from Zanzibar.

At the moment I am still waiting for my Irish license to be converted into the Spanish one. This means that during a homebirth I need a midwife who has the Spanish license in order for paperwork to be signed.

Do I speak Spanish?

Yes, I do.