The Role of the Midwife in Public Health Julie Foster Senior Lecturer University of Cumbria

What is a midwife? responsible and accountable professional works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period Conducts birth Cares for the mother and the newborn

Care includes: preventative measures the promotion of normal birth the detection of complications in mother and child accessing medical care or other appropriate assistance carrying out emergency measures.

An important role in: health counselling and education not only for the woman but also within the family and the community Antenatal education preparation for parenthood women’s health sexual or reproductive health and child care.

A midwife can work in: Hospitals Birth centres Health centres Clinics Community

Midwifery is much more than just delivering babies What qualities do you think a midwife should have? Advocate for natural birth Sensitive to family’s needs Passion for empowering women

Skills of a midwife Excellent people skills Good communication and observation Interest in the physical, psychological and process of pregnancy and birth Ability to answer questions and offer advice Happy to work as part of a team Dealing with emotionally charged situations

The midwives role in public health What is public health? Public health aims to address the health and the healthcare needs of populations, bringing together all the factors which shape and influence the health of individuals and communities’

Midwives play a vital role in public health They can individualise public health policy helping women to lead healthier lives Midwives know how to target marginalised groups through schemes such as Sure-start children’s centres Think about which groups these may include? ‘

Minimizing the effects of inequality is an integral part of maternity care Maternity services can address health inequalities by adopting 3 key principles: 1. Identify women who are likely to experience inequalities 2. Planning, commissioning and delivering care that is individual and personal 3. Recognising that care of pregnant women is not exclusive to the health service

Specific public health interventions Smoking Mental health Breastfeeding Diet Social support

12 Public health benefits of breastfeeding Tackling obesity Coronary heart disease helps to reduce some cancers WHO recommends that all newborn infants are exclusively breast fed for the first 6 months and beyond 12

Breastfeeding Two challenges in promoting breastfeeding: Initiating breastfeeding Maintaining breastfeeding Support to mothers during pregnancy, labour and birth increases both initiation and duration

14 Why breast feed? Breast-milk is the best form of nutrition for babies it has the perfect ingredients Cows milk is the best form of nutrition for calves not for babies

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Benefits of breastfeeding Reduces the risk of infections Reduces the risk of cot death Has advantages for long term health in both mother and baby Convenient Cheap!

17 Public attitudes to breast feeding can be detrimental.. 17

18 How can midwives overcome this? Education - in schools, in the home, in antenatal period help to change societal/cultural perspectives provide support throughout pregnancy and in the post natal period breast feeding support groups infant feeding advisors 18

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20 Thank you! The End 20

Breastfeeding