A senior maternity support worker who helps new mums with their babies has been nominated for a prestigious prize.

Jodie May, from Newington, is in the running for the Hospital Hero category of Medway Maritime’s Star Awards.

The 41-year-old has worked in maternity for five years, but has held her current post for two.

Jodie, who goes by Jo, said: “Having my daughter 20 years ago, I always thought I wanted to be a midwife, and that was the goal when I started here.

“But, doing the position that I'm in now, I couldn't think of doing anything else.”

A big reason why she took on the job was because of her experiences on rotational shifts across the maternity unit when first starting out.

She added: “My first rotation on Pearl Ward [her current base] felt like I was coming home.

“It was amazing, the teamwork there is outstanding.”

Her role is mainly in transitional care, looking after babies who may have been readmitted from home due to various reasons, such as being born prematurely or weight loss.

The team is split into two, the nurses who care for the tots, and the support workers who help the mums.

“The rewarding part is just helping, doing my job, and the continuity of care.

“If I have back-to-back shifts, it’s going in, seeing the same people, and helping them with their babies, and just making a difference,” she said.

But her role does not come without difficulties.

Jo said: “A lot of these women have been in for induction, so they've been in the antenatal ward for a while.

“Then, when they've come through and had their babies and they're in transitional care, they could be there for up to two weeks, which takes its toll on them.

“One of the biggest challenges is when they want to be at home with their newborns, and if they've got other children. They want to start their life as they envisioned when they fell pregnant, but it hasn't happened that way.

“It’s just supporting them the best that we can while they're there.”

Jo was nominated for the Hospital Hero award by one of her patients, who said she “saved my mental health” after being stuck in the hospital 10 days after having her baby.

Speaking on being a finalist, she said: “It feels amazing.

“When you're looking after people who have just had a baby, their focus is on their baby.

“The fact that they've gone home and what I've done has stayed with them after that, when they've got a newborn to look after, and have taken their time to nominate me is amazing.”

Earlier this month, we shared how fellow nominee Elizabeth Maclaren, a paediatric oncology nurse, set up a fundraiser to help support children with cancer, as well as their families.

And last week, we revealed play specialist of 30 years, Ann McKinnon, as the second finalist after being recognised for her kind and compassionate care for patients.

We will be publishing details of the other nominees over the next weeks.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday, June 12.