Future midwives inspired to raise awareness of congenital CMV at the University of Wolverhampton
Around 60 student midwives at the University of Wolverhampton recently took part in a CMV Action awareness session, learning about congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV), its impact on families, and the simple prevention measures that can help reduce the risk during pregnancy.
CMV Action Trustee, Leah, presented and combined clinical information with her own personal experience as a parent to a child with cCMV, helping students understand not only what cCMV is, but also the lifelong impact it can have on children and their families.
The session covered:
* What CMV is and why awareness matters
* A personal family story, alongside experiences shared through the CMV Action family film
* Prevention advice
* The work of CMV Action and the support we provide to families and healthcare professionals
The response from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with many staying behind after the presentation to ask questions and continue the conversation.
Topics discussed included current research into CMV vaccines, how CMV can be transmitted beyond contact with young children, and where future midwives can access reliable information and resources to support families in their practice.
One student asked for resources to use when working in the community, while another attendee shared plans to explore opportunities to introduce antenatal CMV awareness through their own organisation.
Leah shared that the most memorable feedback came from two student midwives who said the session had left them feeling ‘angry’- not because of the presentation itself, but because congenital CMV is so common and can be so serious, yet remains so little known. Their reaction reinforces exactly why raising awareness among healthcare professionals is so important.
Sharing lived experience
Alongside the clinical information, Leah shared her family’s experience of congenital CMV, giving students an honest insight into the realities of life beyond the diagnosis.
One moment that particularly resonated came when Leah described her daughter Beth’s hearing loss as her “superpower”. She smiled as she shared the family joke that Beth sometimes wishes she was deaf in both ears when her younger sister, Lottie, is being especially noisy. The audience laughed along, and it was a lovely reminder that while congenital CMV can bring significant challenges, families also find strength, humour and joy in everyday life.
Building awareness for the future
Every presentation like this is an opportunity to equip the next generation of midwives with knowledge that could make a real difference to the families they support.
By ensuring student midwives understand congenital CMV before they begin their careers, we hope more parents will receive timely information during pregnancy, enabling them to make informed choices and helping to reduce the number of babies affected by congenital CMV.
A huge thank you to the University of Wolverhampton Midwifery team, particularly Olivia Ursell, for the invitation and warm welcome, and to everyone who attended and engaged so thoughtfully with the session.
