It is often the doctors that get the kudos for the safe arrival of babies into the world, but in reality it is, and always has been, the midwives who are the true heroes of not just birthing but also pre and post natal care of women all around the world. It was nice to read a book dedicated to such an amazing profession.

From the huge hospitals of our major cities, to tiny clinics in the remotest of locations midwives are an ever present force in health care. It was interesting to read that midwifery has gone through many changes over the years - from the full medicalisation of the 1950s and 1960s, to the more balanced approach that is available today which includes such things as birthing centres (both within and outside of hospitals) as well as midwives who are completely independent operators.

Had it not been for the reality TV series RPA (Royal Prince Alfred) I would have had no idea who Gail O'Brien was, yet upon seeing this book I knew that I wanted to read it. In many respects Gail O'Brien is a normal Australian woman - a physiotherapist, wife, mother - but her life over the past decade or so has been quite extraordinary and it is wonderful that her story has been told.

Gail's late husband Professor Chris O'Brien was a head and neck surgeon at RPA in Sydney. When the reality show about the hospital came onto our screens back in the 1990s Chris immediately became a viewer favourite not only because of his obvious skill as a doctor but also for the warmth and empathy he displayed to his patients.