I came to midwifery the long way round…via a music degree, many years of ecological activism and human rights campaigning including lots of volunteering in the Middle East, and community development work in the UK. I’m inspired by community and individual self-empowerment, autonomy and self-determination in all sorts of contexts. At first I thought midwifery was a step in a new direction, but it turned out not to be at all.

I am passionate about supporting the autonomy of people as they make choices right for them, and protecting the delicate yet extraordinarily resilient ecology of birth. I enjoy exploring the increasing scientific evidence-base for what I absolutely believe – that our bodies are expertly designed to give birth. I have looked after a diverse range of birthing folks, including single parents, LGBTQ+ families, polyamorous families, and people from all sorts of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. They have all taught me a lot.

After being unable to take up a 2015 Iolanthe Midwives Award, which I’d received to plan a return to Gaza where I have previously volunteered, in 2019 I was delighted to receive not only the same Award, this time to cover the costs of my journey to Frankfurt for a placement with Frank Louwen’s Breech Clinic, but also the inaugural Iolanthe Mary Cronk Award, created after her death last year to be given to a midwife whose work “aligns with the passions and values of inspirational midwife Mary Cronk.” Following in Mary’s footsteps is a real honour. You can read about my trip to Frankfurt here, in The Practising Midwife: Taking back breech birth. I have also published a book and contributed chapters to two others, including Here We Stand: Women Changing the World, winner of the Bread and Roses Award 2015.

I have worked for 8 years with the Yorkshire Storks team (you will spot that some of my testimonials refer to my work with Yorks Storks) as well as taken clients of my own in Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Lakes District. Since 2020, ethical & affordable birth insurance has been difficult to get so I have been working as The Online Midwife, with full or part packages of support throughout your antenatal and postnatal period, no matter where you live. I am also able to take some face-to-face clients in parts of Cumbria and the Lancaster/Morecombe area. And there is also some new info on birth insurance. 

You can have a free 15 min virtual consultation initially to get a feel for if I can be helpful to you, and then book as many one-off hour sessions as you need. Alternatively, choosing a full flat-rate package of support also means I am 24 hours on call for you and your family. Click here for more details. 

I look forward to meeting you!

Sharyn Lock                                                                               Find me on