Midwifery - Balancing Clinical Needs With Natural Process
I still hear people express strong opinions about the idea that the midwives who enter midwifery training without a nursing back ground are less capable than midwives with a nursing background.
However midwifery theory is based on the fact that pregnancy is a normal physiological process that women should be supported and empowered to experience in a positive way.
Nursing, however, has an approach that is similar to medicine: that is, problem-solving.
So with more women experiencing complications in pregnancy due to delaying childbearing to later on in life in order to pursue and/or establish a career, or other lifestyle factors such as obesity and sedentary life style, the dichotomy of complicated versus uncomplicated pregnancy is addressed by having a consultant led unit and a Midwife led unit within the maternity department.
There is also the opportunity for birthing at home for women with a low risk or uncomplicated pregnancy. It is in this environment that the nurse-midwife would be more rounded in overall experience in caring for both groups of women.
However over time the direct entry Midwife becomes experienced with the various complications that can occur in pregnancy due to underlying morbidity or complications such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia that occurs due to the pregnancy.
The 6 Qualities That Make A Good Midwife
So what are some of the personal qualities that may indicate that midwifery jobs could be a good career choice for someone?
Here is a list (in my opinion) of the top 6 qualities you need to be a good Midwife:
● excellent communication skills (with an emphasis on listening)
● nurturing
● non-judgemental (impartial and respectful) approach
● advocacy
● patience
● calmness
Nursing Is A Broader Career Pathway Than Midwifery
General nursing is a much broader career pathway compared with midwifery.
Some of the main types of nursing include:
● Adult Nursing - (Adult Nurse Career Guide)
● Children’s Nursing (Children's Nurse Career Guide)
● Mental Health Nursing (RMN Career Guide)
● Learning Disability Nursing (RNLD Career Guide)
There are also many specialist areas in nursing including Diabetes Specialist, Oncology, Orthopaedic, Dialysis and dermatology, to name a few.
Some specialisms within midwifery include the Diabetes Specialist Midwife, Breast Feeding Lead Midwife, Antenatal Screening Midwife, Risk Management Midwife and the PDM Midwife (Professional Development Midwife who manage and facilitate on-going professional developmental and mandatory training for staff involve in maternity care).
Midwives Are There At Each Stage Of Pregnancy
Midwives’ work involves the care of childbearing women from the time they contact the NHS to get booked for care in pregnancy to up to 2 weeks after the birth of one or more babies.
The booking interview and assessment is undertaken by the midwife who arranges all the blood tests and scans that the woman will need throughout the pregnancy.
Throughout the pregnancy the women are seen almost monthly by the antenatal Midwife.
The Midwife checks the foetus is growing well and that the woman is keeping well.
They also provide advice and support as needed at each stage of the pregnancy.
During labour and birth and the postnatal period the woman and her family continue to be supported by midwives who guide them through pain management options in labour, coach them through the birthing process and support bonding and breastfeeding in the postnatal period.
See this article where Louisa talks about continuity of care in midwifery as being one of the 5 things she loves most about her job.
About this contributor
Adult Nurse & Midwife
I work as a Midwife and an Adult Nurse. My current role is in a community hospital that specialises in rehabilitation of adult patients who have become dependent. My Adult Nursing career spans over 20 years to include Adult, Medical, Surgical Nursing. My special interests include women's health, diabetes, public health and Midwifery.
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