MIDWIFE IN MY LIFE!
In the picturesque and serene city of New Zealand,
I had the opportunity to meet Midwife Ji-in Lee.
She is a gentle guiding presence who
helps transform the experience of pregnancy
and childbirth into moments that can
be remembered with happiness and warmth.
Through her care, each step of the journey
becomes not only medical support,
but also an emotional and human
experience filled with reassurance and love.
One can imagine that even if she were to be
born again, she would still choose to live
a life filled with laughter and
compassion as a midwife.
MIDWIFE | Ji-in Lee
Q. What do you think is the charm
of New Zealand?
New Zealand has a uniquely
free and peaceful atmosphere.
In the past, I was more drawn
to countries like Australia or Canada,
but I found that people in New Zealand
have a particularly kind and transparent nature.
For these reasons,
I even find myself wanting
to live there long-term.
One of the biggest attractions is being
able to see beautiful nature every day, along
with a lifestyle that is not overly busy
and allows for a calm rhythm of living.
People in New Zealand seem to value
“work-life balance” above all else.
They work hard during working hours,
but when the weekend comes,
they fully dedicate time to themselves.
By clearly separating work and personal life,
they are able to stay more focused during work
and also create meaningful memories with loved ones.
Q. What is the most recommended
place to visit in New Zealand?
One of my favorite destinations
is the city of Queenstown.
It is surrounded by breathtaking mountains
and a beautiful lake, offering a landscape
that truly feels like it opens up
your chest and clears your mind.
I visit there about two to three times
a year because it’s such a special place for me.
It is also well known for a wide variety
of activities as well as excellent wineries.
During holiday seasons, I often find myself
returning to Queenstown again and again.
One of the most perfect ways to spend time
there is simply sitting in
a hotel room overlooking the lake,
enjoying a glass of wine, and fully
embracing the calm of the moment.
Q. You mentioned that you would choose
to be a midwife again if you were born again.
What is the reason for that, and what vision
do you have through this profession?
In New Zealand, the term “midwife” refers
to a professional who accompanies women
through the entire journey of pregnancy,
childbirth, and postpartum care.
They also provide guidance throughout the process,
including explanations of tests such as ultrasounds
and blood work, ensuring that mothers fully
understand each stage of their pregnancy
and feel supported throughout.
For me, the most meaningful part of this work
is walking alongside mothers during their journey
of becoming a “mother,” and witnessing
that transformation firsthand.
My ultimate goal is to become a professor.
At present, I am working hard
and studying toward that dream.
I find great happiness and gratitude in being
able to help others, and I hope to one day
become a professor who teaches midwifery
students and passes on both knowledge and experience.
Q. What was the most emotionally
memorable birth you have experienced?
Every birth feels incredibly precious to me,
and I experience that sense of wonder
and gratitude every single day.
It is difficult to choose just one memorable moment,
because in many ways, each birth stays with me.
A new life entering the world is only possible
through the mother’s strength, love,
and dedication throughout pregnancy.
The moment I place a healthy newborn
into the mother’s arms is always deeply moving.
In that instant, all the hardship and exhaustion
from the pregnancy period seem to gently melt away.
Even after many years, that feeling
never becomes ordinary.
I believe this is the reason I continue doing this work,
even when it is challenging.
Q. What aspects of your personality
naturally come through when caring
for pregnant women and newborns?
There is a saying among midwives that
“mothers gradually become like their midwife.”
In my practice, I always focus on two things:
comfort and safety.
I want every mother under my care to feel as relaxed
and secure as possible throughout their journey.
At the same time, I also value a sense
of joy and lightness in the clinic.
There are many days when the room is filled
with laughter and warm conversations.
Because I understand how physically
and emotionally demanding pregnancy can be,
I try my best to ease even a small part of
that burden for each mother I meet.
Q. You seem to have been actively
involved in supporting women
who have experienced miscarriage.
What kind of work does this involve,
and how did you come to do it?
During my time working in a hospital,
I often found myself caring for mothers
who had experienced miscarriage.
In those moments, I focused on listening
to their pain and emotional struggles,
simply being present for them
and offering support where I could.
I felt that this role providing empathy,
comfort, and emotional support was
something that naturally suited me.
I stayed with them
as someone they could lean on,
offering understanding and
reassurance during a very difficult time.
Over time, this work also led me
to take on more complex cases,
including high-risk pregnancies,
fetal abnormalities, and cardiac-related conditions,
which I now manage more extensively.
Q. Q. If you were to leave behind one phrase
that comes to mind today, what would it be?
The phrase I would choose is:
“She believed she could, so she did.”
Because she believed in herself, she was able to
accomplish everything she set out to do.
This is something I often tell my
juniors and students.
If you hold a strong belief that “you can do it,”
then no matter what challenges come your way,
you will be able to overcome them
and move closer to your dreams.
Q. What hobbies do you enjoy to relieve stress?
My husband has a wide range of hobbies,
so I naturally started joining him and ended up
discovering my own interests along the way.
On days off, we sometimes go shooting together,
and recently we’ve also been playing tennis.
After getting into shooting, my next goal is
to obtain a handgun license, which requires
about a year of strict training and examinations,
so I know I need to prepare myself seriously.
In the summer, we go spearfishing
as well as both shore and boat fishing.
In addition to that, during winter
we enjoy snowboarding at ski resorts,
and we also go jet skiing on beautiful lakes.
These activities help me reset and fully
enjoy my time outside of work.
Q. Q. Lastly, what do you think is the biggest
reason why natural birth is considered important?
I believe the most important reason is recovery.
With natural childbirth,
recovery tends to be faster,
and breastfeeding can also
be established more smoothly.
In contrast, after a cesarean section,
even basic movements like walking can be painful,
and that discomfort can affect a mother’s ability
to care for her baby in the early stages.
There is also a possibility that breastfeeding
may be delayed or not come in as easily.
For these reasons, recovery and early bonding
are often considered key factors
when discussing natural birth.
