Jools Oliver trains to deliver babies for other mothers

She has given birth to five children over the past two decades and is gearing up for a milestone birthday.

But, for Jools Oliver, it’s never too late to pursue your dreams as she is training to become a midwife at the age of 49.

The former model and wife of chef Jamie Oliver revealed she was encouraged to start a course two years ago.

‘Everyone said, “There’s still time, this is the time you do it”. It’s been two years now, it should have been done in a year, this is very me,’ she said.

‘Ideally, I’d like to I think I just want to hold newborn babies left, right and centre. It’s the dream job, catching newborn babies.’

Mrs Oliver, whose children range in age from seven up to 21, told the Postcards From Midlife podcast how she regretted choosing modelling over midwifery when younger. 

‘I didn’t really have much guidance,’ she said. ‘I wish I’d just gone straight to college and been a midwife.

‘That would hands down be the job I’d be still doing now and I think I’d probably have been quite good at it.’

In 2019 Mrs Oliver admitted she wanted another baby and the couple had tried IVF. 

Two years later, she told how she had suffered five miscarriages after trying for a fifth child, one of which was nearly fatal.

‘I felt guilty as I had four children and thought I can’t tell people about my miscarriages,’ she said.

To qualify, Mrs Oliver will have to complete a degree in midwifery at university or a midwifery degree apprenticeship.