Is it Obnoxious to Give a Gift to your 40th Baby? How to Celebrate 40 Births

I see so many student midwives working incredibly hard towards their 40 vaginal births milestone, and I know from talking to you and following your journeys on social media that it is a tough journey. It really is a marathon, and it must feel like an uphill race right now. Hitting that target is challenging, especially since nearly half of all births in the UK are caesarean sections. As these don't count towards that minimum, reaching 40 births is even more of a milestone now.

I can understand that hitting that 40 mark is a proper rite of passage for student midwives. It represents all those long hours, the emotional impact of the families you have helped and that moment you can finally say, "I did it - I feel like a midwife."

With everything I make for Womb to World Art, I believe your achievements deserve to be celebrated. As a home-ed mummy and artist who loves physiological birth, I wanted to create a collection of things to help you remember your journey.

Is it obnoxious to give a vest as a gift to your 40th baby?

I know that celebrating this can spark a bit of a debate. I received a request to make 40th birth baby vests, and when I asked for feedback in a student midwife Facebook group, I got some very strong (but mixed) feedback! Some felt it was obnoxious, cheeky and presumptuous, while others thought it was a lovely keepsake and when they gave one the family were very pleased.

Some students pointed out that birth is the family's moment, and that the priority must always be the mother and her baby. Also concerns about interrupting skin-to-skin contact or it being presumptuous to give something the baby has to wear. I really valued those perspectives and it was good to hear that the mother's experience is being valued and prioritised.

Because there was negative feedback, I didn't make any vests for a while. But then when I started building up my collection of 40 births keepsakes and gifts, I thought perhaps I'd offer a few vests and then it would be up to the person whether that feels right for them to buy one.

I tend to think that a gift is always a nice thought... and if someone doesn't want to put the vest on their baby then they don't have to? It depends on the way the gift is given. Especially if you've had chance to get to know that midwife through your pregnancy journey. What do you think?

Whether you choose to mark your achievement in a big way or keep it quiet , my only goal is to offer you a way to celebrate your own hard work that feels right for you.

Here are some things I've made to help you celebrate the big 40!

1. Gifts for the 40th baby family

For those of you who love the idea of a gift for the family of your 40th birth, I have put my original watercolour illustrations onto 100% cotton new born baby vests. These are designed by me and printed by another small business mama. They are a way for the family to remember the student who supported them during their birth.

Image: Newborn baby vests as gift for 40th baby - obnoxious or nice thought?

I also have a selection of colourful "Thank You" cards which are perfect for a heartfelt note to the family - some say 'Thank you for making me a midwife' and others say 'I made a midwife'. 

Image: Thank you for making me a midwife cards for 40 birth family

2. Handmade keepsakes to celebrate 40 births

If you prefer a token that is just for you to treasure, I have some new engraved wooden medals on the way, as well as handmade gold leaf clay tokens. These are designed to be a lasting keepsake - a physical thing to hold onto after a long shift that represents all the lives you have touched. They are perfect for keeping on your desk or in your pocket as a little reminder of the hard work and dedication that brought you to this point. 

Image: Handmade gold-leaf clay 40 birth gift student midwife

I've also made an 'I made a midwife' clay keepsake to give as a gift to the 40th baby family and it comes with a little card to say 'Today you made me a midwife'

Image: Handmade clay 40 birth gift for baby

I've decorated agate slices as a crystal keepsake option to give as gifts to students, and have some more gold leaf clay ornaments in progress.

Image: Crystal 40 births keepsakes for student midwives

3. Wearable student midwife badges and rosettes

If you want to wear your milestone with pride, I have a range of button badges and rosettes that match my illustration style. They are a fun, visual way to celebrate your success and add a bit of colour to your uniform or bag - and make a nice gift to put into one of my 40 births cards for a soon-to-be midwife.

4. Student midwife birth counters and log books

To keep track of your journey, I have made a dedicated "My First 40 Births" log book, with space to reflect and record those first 40 in your career. I also have A3 and A4 birth counter prints, along with coordinating baby stickers to help you see your progress as you work towards that final goal.

Image: 40 births reflective keepsake book and baby counter stickers for student midwives

5. Gift bundles to give to fellow students for their 40th

If you have a friend on the course who is nearing their 40th birth, I have some special gift bundles and milestone card decks that make the perfect gift to support them. It is such a nice way to show solidarity and celebrate your peers as they hit their own milestones - and when you buy a bundle you make a saving on buying the items individually.

Image: 40 births gift bundle for student midwives

You can find the full Student midwife gifts for 40 Births collection in my student midwife shop.

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How do I celebrate my 40 vaginal births milestone as a student midwife? Reaching 40 births is a massive achievement. You can celebrate by marking the occasion with a personal keepsake, such as a wearable vest for the baby, an engraved wooden medal, or a hand-finished clay token. Many students also enjoy using milestone cards or planner stickers to visually track their progress and reflect on the journey.

Is it appropriate for a student midwife to give a gift to the birth family? There is a range of opinions on this in the midwifery community. Some feel a gift can be seen as presumptuous, while others believe it is a beautiful, thoughtful way for a family to remember the student who supported them. The best approach is to choose something small, heartfelt, and personal that feels right for your own practice and the relationship you have built with the family.

Why is hitting 40 births so difficult for student midwives in the UK? The regulatory requirement is to support 40 vaginal births to qualify. However, with the rise of caesarean sections in the UK, which do not count toward this specific clinical minimum, students often find it takes extra time, grit, and patience to meet the target. This makes reaching the milestone feel like an even greater accomplishment when it finally happens.

What kind of keepsakes can I buy to mark my own midwifery milestone? If you want something to keep for yourself, you might choose an engraved wooden medal, a clay token to keep on your desk, or a "My First 40 Births" log book to document your clinical journey. These items serve as a physical reminder of the hard work and dedication required to reach your goal.