The pair, along with the rest of the midwifery and maternity team at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, celebrated International Day of the
Midwife to highlight the important role midwives play in the health of mothers, children and families.
The skill of managing a unit, creating the culture of that unit and supporting students, new graduates and LMCs, as well as the women being cared for in that facility, is another role that a core
midwife can be asked to take on.
They are a valued part of our health system and the International Day of the
Midwife provides an opportune time for us to celebrate and reflect on the important role played by this professional group," said Dr.
In this context, the woman would feel comfortable talking about her dietary behaviour with the
midwife and the
midwife would feel comfortable approaching the woman to provide woman-centred advice.
"If one
midwife is caring for one woman in labour, the post-natal women are probably not going to get much assistance with breastfeeding or mothercraft information--even if some postnatal beds are unoccupied.
"Many women do see the same
midwife in the antenatal and postnatal periods already, but midwives don't always rotate into the labour areas.
During Carla's second pregnancy, Julia, from Mid Wales, was her community
midwife and provided incredible support throughout.
The disparity of
midwife qualifications and the role they play at hospitals across the country puts greater emphasis on mums-to-be to choose the 'right hospitals', says the report.
She started work as a core
midwife at North Shore Hospital, and became a co-ordinator of the maternity unit, first on the postnatal ward and later in the birthing suite.
In 1925, the United States adopted a nurse-midwifery model from Britain, which was a combination of nurse and
midwife, requiring training in both; although primary care for childbearing women continued to be provided by nurse-midwives, family nurse practitioners and physicians.