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Hard Pushed

A Midwife’s Story

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Hard Pushed

By: Leah Hazard
Narrated by: Leah Hazard
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About this listen

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Hard Pushed by Leah Hazard.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

You haven't slept for twenty hours, haven't eaten for ten, and you're in charge of twenty heavily pregnant women at midnight.

Welcome to the life of a midwife.

Life on the NHS front line is tougher than you could imagine. Marathon shifts, endless birth complications, staffing shortages, pushy families, panicking mothers – and that's a quiet Thursday afternoon.

But the strength and camaraderie of the women working under such intense pressure is a beautiful thing. Together, they must withstand one of the world's most difficult job, one that produces moments of pure, absolute joy and terrible, heart-wrenching grief.

Through the experienced eyes of Leah Hazard, we meet women from all walks of life: the scared fifteen-year-old whose baby could be months premature, the same-sex couple whose child will be a miracle of modern medicine, the woman giving birth in a room drenched in essential oils and love, and the mother-to-be whose tale of exploitation and endurance has carried her thousands of miles to Leah’s ward.

Moving, compassionate and intensely candid, Hard Pushed is a love letter to new mothers and to Leah’s fellow midwives – there for us at some of the most challenging, empowering and defining moments of our lives.

©2019 Leah Hazard (P)2019 Penguin Audio
Medical Heartfelt Inspiring Pregnancy Midwife
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Critic reviews

'Heart-rending, inspiring and funny, Hard Pushed brings alive the world of midwifery in all its complexity and radiates love and respect for women.' PROFESSOR LESLEY PAGE CBE, former president of the Royal College of Midwives

'It is Leah Hazard's capacity to love and give so personally to the many thousands of women she has worked with which imbues this book with its power.' JULIA SAMUEL, author of Grief Works

'The stories in Hard Pushed highlight the bravery of our midwives, and the women they care for.' CHRISTIE WATSON, author of The Language of Kindness

What listeners say about Hard Pushed

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    4 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly entertaining and thought provoking!

Loved that the narrator was also the author, much more personal. Great insight into the profession.

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  • Overall
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Loved it

This is a moving timely account of being a midwife in the hard pressed NHS. It manages to portray the unique and privileged role of a midwife in caring for women and babies and the range and depth of skills needed to do so. Alarmingly the reality of working in an under resourced health service is evident, and the great personal toll this takes on committed compassionate staff. Leah Hazard writes from the heart and conveys warmth and passion, reminding us of the true value of midwifery and the threats it faces.

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I want Midwife Hazard as my midwife!

I really enjoyed this audio book, a stark no frill look into the world of midwifery that i guess unless you are in you are little idea about!

While the under staffing aspects scare the life out of me for the future children i may have it is great to know that Midwives like Leah exist.

Also i could listen to her recite the alphabet and find it relaxing - something about that accent!

Highly Recommend!

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A great insight

This book has let me see into what I plan to dive head into very shortly, so with that, thank you!

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Poignant, frank and true reflection midwife life

Elequently covers the breadth, strength and vast array of circumstances and challenges midwives face every day. It is relevant to everyone, we are all human, we're all born, and it gives a brief window into a little acknowledged world of wonder and hard work.

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Insightful

Loved the whole book, it was amazing, easy to understand and thought provoking! 5 stars!

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It’s good, but not excellent

It was a good listen, but I found that some stories could have be followed through a bit more.
I enjoyed listening on the way to work

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5/5 from a student midwife.

Leah Hazard does an amazing job of highlighting what it is like to be a midwife today. Although I am only a student midwife, I resonated with the insights Hazard shared. I went from laughter to tears to anger with each chapter. Her performance of narrator is also impressive, she has a soothing voice and is easy to listen to. I will be recommending this book to my friends and family (not only because it’s amazing but so they can get an insight into my professional life too!).

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Brilliant book - entertaining and informative

I absolutely loved this book! Great stories while giving you an insight into midwifery. Loved Leah’s accent too, made the book even better. Would recommend it, especially to mums as it’s very relatable.

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Working in maturity

Working within the Nhs I could relate to this book with full understanding of how the author felt. It is well written and an enjoyable listen.

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