To support optimal breast/chest feeding, midwives and support workers must have knowledge of breast anatomy and the mechanisms for milk production. The function of the breast is not overly influenced by the form of the breast, as there is a symbiotic relationship between the two.1 The appetite and removal of milk via the infant is key in determining effective lactation rather than the adult’s capacity to produce milk.1 The connection and work undertaken by parent and feeding infant requires knowledge and support of healthcare professionals, and also ongoing immediate support through immediate and wider networks of the feeding family. The parent/infant dyad should be supported as one unit as both have exceptional key elements to ensure adequate and optimal feeding, milk removal and production.
{"title":"How It Works 1: Optimising Practice to Support Establishing Breast/Chest Feeding – Part 1","authors":"Claire Elliott","doi":"10.55975/oxui6726","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55975/oxui6726","url":null,"abstract":"To support optimal breast/chest feeding, midwives and support workers must have knowledge of breast anatomy and the mechanisms for milk production. The function of the breast is not overly influenced by the form of the breast, as there is a symbiotic relationship between the two.1 The appetite and removal of milk via the infant is key in determining effective lactation rather than the adult’s capacity to produce milk.1 The connection and work undertaken by parent and feeding infant requires knowledge and support of healthcare professionals, and also ongoing immediate support through immediate and wider networks of the feeding family. The parent/infant dyad should be supported as one unit as both have exceptional key elements to ensure adequate and optimal feeding, milk removal and production.","PeriodicalId":35678,"journal":{"name":"Practising Midwife","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134995613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Limited hospitals around Australia are offering maternal-assisted caesareans (MAC) as an option for women birthing in the operating theatre. Dr Natalie Elphinstone explains the process she went through to ensure this was an option for her patients, how she goes about performing a MAC, and why she believes them to be so important. This information may be just what you need to help start the process to get approval for them at your hospital too.
{"title":"Maternal Assisted Caesareans","authors":"Dr Natalie Elphinstone","doi":"10.55975/emsp4141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55975/emsp4141","url":null,"abstract":"Limited hospitals around Australia are offering maternal-assisted caesareans (MAC) as an option for women birthing in the operating theatre. Dr Natalie Elphinstone explains the process she went through to ensure this was an option for her patients, how she goes about performing a MAC, and why she believes them to be so important. This information may be just what you need to help start the process to get approval for them at your hospital too.","PeriodicalId":35678,"journal":{"name":"Practising Midwife","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135588723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Termination of pregnancy is a safe and legal part of healthcare in most Australian jurisdictions. Legislative changes have given women greater reproductive autonomy and removed the fear of prosecution. Despite midwives being recognised as ideal termination care providers most states and territories have only given doctors the legal right to perform terminations. Historically though, midwives have been the ones women trusted with their sexual and reproductive health, as well as pregnancy and birth care. The aim of this article is to provide a short journey through the history of midwives’ involvement in termination and why termination is regulated by legal frameworks.
{"title":"With Woman – Midwives as Termination Providers: A Look Back Through History","authors":"Susanne Armour","doi":"10.55975/xrgy3760","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55975/xrgy3760","url":null,"abstract":"Termination of pregnancy is a safe and legal part of healthcare in most Australian jurisdictions. Legislative changes have given women greater reproductive autonomy and removed the fear of prosecution. Despite midwives being recognised as ideal termination care providers most states and territories have only given doctors the legal right to perform terminations. Historically though, midwives have been the ones women trusted with their sexual and reproductive health, as well as pregnancy and birth care. The aim of this article is to provide a short journey through the history of midwives’ involvement in termination and why termination is regulated by legal frameworks.","PeriodicalId":35678,"journal":{"name":"Practising Midwife","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135588722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Support for breastfeeding has traditionally been offered by midwives and health visitors in statutory services, and volunteers in third sector organisations. A model that meets service requirements and is also acceptable for mothers and babies has evaded implementation. This article describes an innovative project created to support an increase in breastfeeding duration based on partnership working and utilising trained Breastfeeding Support Workers.
{"title":"Breastfeeding Support in Better Start Bradford","authors":"Alison Brown, Rachel Duxbury","doi":"10.55975/dtwk5595","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55975/dtwk5595","url":null,"abstract":"Support for breastfeeding has traditionally been offered by midwives and health visitors in statutory services, and volunteers in third sector organisations. A model that meets service requirements and is also acceptable for mothers and babies has evaded implementation. This article describes an innovative project created to support an increase in breastfeeding duration based on partnership working and utilising trained Breastfeeding Support Workers.","PeriodicalId":35678,"journal":{"name":"Practising Midwife","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134995443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cristina Couto, Carmen Queiros, Ana Paula Prata, Clara Roquete
Worldwide breastfeeding rates concern nurses and midwives involved in breastfeeding care, raising questions about their knowledge and ability to promote it effectively. Collating nurse and midwife interventions that protect, promote and support breastfeeding will be useful to understand how professionals can support breastfeeding, inform decision-makers and enhance the quality of breastfeeding care.
{"title":"Nurse And Midwife Interventions To Protect, Promote And Support Breastfeeding: An Umbrella Review Protocol","authors":"Cristina Couto, Carmen Queiros, Ana Paula Prata, Clara Roquete","doi":"10.55975/csyz5430","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55975/csyz5430","url":null,"abstract":"Worldwide breastfeeding rates concern nurses and midwives involved in breastfeeding care, raising questions about their knowledge and ability to promote it effectively. Collating nurse and midwife interventions that protect, promote and support breastfeeding will be useful to understand how professionals can support breastfeeding, inform decision-makers and enhance the quality of breastfeeding care.","PeriodicalId":35678,"journal":{"name":"Practising Midwife","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134995610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Communication technology, particularly texting, has become a mainstream way to communicate between people. In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), 91% of adult users over 18 years old own a smart phone1 which compares to smartphone use by people in Australia and the United Kingdom.2,3 Within maternity care, communication technology has enabled childbearing people to access a midwife for support and reassurance, change appointments or request health information.
{"title":"Survey Results Describing How Pregnant Women/People Use Communication Technology with their Midwife in Aotearoa New Zealand","authors":"Karen Wakelin, Judith McAra-Couper, Tania Fleming","doi":"10.55975/hdng1858","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55975/hdng1858","url":null,"abstract":"Communication technology, particularly texting, has become a mainstream way to communicate between people. In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), 91% of adult users over 18 years old own a smart phone1 which compares to smartphone use by people in Australia and the United Kingdom.2,3 Within maternity care, communication technology has enabled childbearing people to access a midwife for support and reassurance, change appointments or request health information.","PeriodicalId":35678,"journal":{"name":"Practising Midwife","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135588711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
First in a four part series. Service users and providers deserve to engage with healthcare systems that are functional, evidence-based and engender positive experiences. Current and recurrent maternity scandals urge us to explore the key characteristics of well-performing services as well as those which fail. Theory generation is important for the progress of maternity care, safety improvement and enhancing organisational culture. This ethnographic study explored the key characteristics of a well-functioning Freestanding Midwifery Unit (FMU) and also embedded a systematic review of evidence on Midwifery Units (MUs) in high income settings, to create logic models.
{"title":"An Ethnographic Study of the Philosophy, Culture and Practices Within an Urban Freestanding Midwifery Unit","authors":"Dr Lucia Rocca-Ihenacho","doi":"10.55975/rsqf7192","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55975/rsqf7192","url":null,"abstract":"First in a four part series. Service users and providers deserve to engage with healthcare systems that are functional, evidence-based and engender positive experiences. Current and recurrent maternity scandals urge us to explore the key characteristics of well-performing services as well as those which fail. Theory generation is important for the progress of maternity care, safety improvement and enhancing organisational culture. This ethnographic study explored the key characteristics of a well-functioning Freestanding Midwifery Unit (FMU) and also embedded a systematic review of evidence on Midwifery Units (MUs) in high income settings, to create logic models.","PeriodicalId":35678,"journal":{"name":"Practising Midwife","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134995611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
There is something inspiring about a group of thousands of the world’s most passionate and experienced midwives coming together, as was the case at the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) congress, held in Bali earlier this year. This triennial conference fosters empowerment, knowledge exchange and collaboration. The purpose and significance of the conference is multifaceted, bringing together professionals dedicated to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes globally. Attendees were spoiled for choice with a programme filled with inspirational midwifery leaders from all corners of the world. If only we could hear from them all!
{"title":"Reflections on The International Confederation of Midwives Congress 2023","authors":"Rebecca Cavallaro","doi":"10.55975/akcn1449","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55975/akcn1449","url":null,"abstract":"There is something inspiring about a group of thousands of the world’s most passionate and experienced midwives coming together, as was the case at the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) congress, held in Bali earlier this year. This triennial conference fosters empowerment, knowledge exchange and collaboration. The purpose and significance of the conference is multifaceted, bringing together professionals dedicated to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes globally. Attendees were spoiled for choice with a programme filled with inspirational midwifery leaders from all corners of the world. If only we could hear from them all!","PeriodicalId":35678,"journal":{"name":"Practising Midwife","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135588724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Psychosocial issues can present at any time in the weeks and months after caesarean birth. Birth trauma can cause debilitating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Midwives should be alert to the early warning signs of risks of mental, emotional and spiritual issues that impact on the birthing person. Appropriate referrals should be made to allied healthcare professionals for assessment and management.
{"title":"Exploring Caesarean Birth 5: Psychosocial Issues Associated with Caesarean Birth","authors":"Leonie Rastas","doi":"10.55975/qvme3249","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55975/qvme3249","url":null,"abstract":"Psychosocial issues can present at any time in the weeks and months after caesarean birth. Birth trauma can cause debilitating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Midwives should be alert to the early warning signs of risks of mental, emotional and spiritual issues that impact on the birthing person. Appropriate referrals should be made to allied healthcare professionals for assessment and management.","PeriodicalId":35678,"journal":{"name":"Practising Midwife","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135588713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kate is a midwife on a continuity of carer team in London, a facilitator and a coach. Her new book Flourish: A Practical and Emotional Guidebook to Thriving in Midwifery, a trauma exposure poster and free resources are available at www.flourishformidwives.com. This is the last of a three-part Article of the Month series throughout Summer 2023: Part 1. Hazardous terrain: The Emotional Landscape – June 2023 issue. Part 2. Sustaining Ourselves – Beyond the Obvious – July 2023 issue.
{"title":"Tiny Change – Big Impact: How to be a Ripple-Maker","authors":"Kate Greenstock","doi":"10.55975/jeiv2691","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.55975/jeiv2691","url":null,"abstract":"Kate is a midwife on a continuity of carer team in London, a facilitator and a coach. Her new book Flourish: A Practical and Emotional Guidebook to Thriving in Midwifery, a trauma exposure poster and free resources are available at www.flourishformidwives.com. This is the last of a three-part Article of the Month series throughout Summer 2023: Part 1. Hazardous terrain: The Emotional Landscape – June 2023 issue. Part 2. Sustaining Ourselves – Beyond the Obvious – July 2023 issue.","PeriodicalId":35678,"journal":{"name":"Practising Midwife","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134995608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}