UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA DELIA RAINE SENIOR LECTURER AND ADMISSIONS TUTOR FOR MIDWIFERY

THE ROLE OF THE MIDWIFE IN THE 21 ST CENTURY MIDWIFE Anglo Saxon word meaning “with woman”

CHILDBIRTH CHILDBIRTH IS MORE THAN THE ACT OF GIVING BIRTH. FOR A WOMAN IT IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS,FROM CONCEPTION THROUGH PREGNANCY,LABOUR,BIRTH AND BEYOND.

RESPONSIBILITY AND SPHERE OF PRACTICE A practising midwife is responsible for providing midwifery care during the antenatal,intranatal and postnatal periods. A midwife is the guardian in and expert of normal childbirth. Works in partnership with woman and her family. Needs of the woman/baby are the primary focus of midwife’s practice.

RESPONSIBILITY AND SPHERE OF PRACTICE Enables woman to make decisions about her own care-based on individual needs. Respect’s the woman’s right to refuse any advice given. Is responsible for maintaining and developing her own competence. Contacts medical practitioner where a deviation from the norm is outside her sphere of practice.

ACTIVITIES OF A MIDWIFE Provides sound family planning advice and information.—fertility re-occurring day 21. Diagnose pregnancy and monitor normal pregnancy. Provides a programme of parenthood preparation, preparation for childbirth including advice on nutrition and hygiene: E.g. Folic Acid—Listeria--STI’s --

ACTIVITIES OF A MIDWIFE Care for the mother/fetus during labour. Assist the mother giving birth. Examine and care for the newborn baby— immediate resuscitation if needed. Care for and monitor progress of mother/baby in the postnatal period.

HEALTH PROMOTION ACTIVITIES Nutrition—to ensure optimal growth/development of the fetus.--problems with obesity in young mothers. Smoking cessation ----to promote health in mother and the fetus—problems associated with smoking include e.g. cleft palate, pre-term labour. Drug abuse---to support mothers either taking and/or withdrawing from drugs. Alcohol and binge drinking!—fetal alcohol syndrome, and alcohol related birth defects.

HEALTH PROMOTION ACTIVITIES Screening for domestic abuse—raised incidence during pregnancy. Mental health issues—antenatal and postnatal depression----suicide leading cause of maternal deaths. Physical postnatal exercises –promoting health and integrity of the pelvic floor Promoting breastfeeding as healthy option for mother and baby.

HEALTH PROMOTION ACTIVITIES Raising awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome---co-sleeping. Teenage pregnancy--

ANY QUESTIONS? If you wish to discuss studying for midwifery at the University of Cumbria, please contact me at : office Delia Raine Senior Lecturer and Admissions Tutor for Midwifery Fusehill campus