Maternity & Midwifery Forum

inequalities

Midwifery Feature Articles Uncategorised

All Bodies, All Selves: Anti-Oppressive Practice and Midwifery 

Debra
At the end of LGBT+ history month, in this powerful article, Dr Alys Einion, FRCM, Senior Lecturer, University of Dundee and Editor-in-Chief, The Practising Midwife, raises concerns about oppression in midwifery practice.  She challenges us all to reflect on attitudes and behaviours in practice to value all people we encounter. ......
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Midwifery Feature Articles Uncategorised

Moral Distress/ Moral Injury in Midwives Research Recruitment

Debra
The health inequalities in people receiving maternity services have received growing concern in the country, where pregnant people from Black and South Asian backgrounds were reported to face double to triple the risks of dying during pregnancy [1], and systemic racism has been suggested to contribute to the issue [2].......
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Midwifery Feature Articles Uncategorised

Continuity of care for pregnant women with substance dependency

Debra
Pregnant women with substance dependency are more likely to lead multi-layered, psychologically and socially complex lives and can be distrustful of mainstream services. Dr Elaine Moore, a retired midwife from Ayrshire, Scotland, shares some findings from her recent study exploring midwifery continuity of care and its impact on midwife/mother relationships. ......
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Midwifery Feature Articles Uncategorised

An Introduction to Reflexology in Pregnancy and Birth

Debra
Complementary therapies are often used or sought by women during pregnancy. Reflexology is one such therapy. Did you know there are different types of reflexology? Expert in complementary therapies Dr Denise Tiran, CEO and Education Director for Expectancy, explains the differences in reflex therapies and how they may be used......
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Midwifery Feature Articles Uncategorised

Being a student with emotionally unstable borderline personality disorder

Debra
Midwives and students are all unique and have their own personal challenges and struggles. In this powerful article Gemma Cromwell, third year student midwife at the University of Bedfordshire, shares her story of becoming and achieving as a student with a mental health condition with the support of all around......
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Midwifery Feature Articles Uncategorised

Lithotomy Challenge – do you know how it feels? 

Debra
Across the world during labour and birth many women and birthing people are placed into the lithotomy position. In this article Florence Wilcock, Consultant obstetrician Kingston Hospital, London, and podcaster @TheObsPod, explains how she set up the lithotomy challenge to help understand the impact of being in that position. Are......
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Midwifery Feature Articles Uncategorised

Aspirin prophylaxis to prevent pre-eclampsia: the role of midwives

Debra
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a serious condition globally. In this article Dr Cristina Fernandez Turienzo, Midwife Senior Research Fellow, and Prof Andrew H Shennan, Professor of Obstetrics, King’s College London, point to the use of Aspirin prophylaxis and the importance of midwives in promoting its use. __________________________ Hypertensive disorders......
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Midwifery Feature Articles Uncategorised

Birth Trauma – the train has left the station

Debra
Concerns about the level of birth trauma women are experiencing are rising, to the extent an Inquiry has been set up by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Birth Trauma. Neil Stewart, editorial Director of the Maternity and Midwifery Forum, explores the reasons behind the rise and challenges midwives and......
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Midwifery Feature Articles Uncategorised

Chief Midwife for the ICM: Reflections and insights

Debra
We are privileged to have Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent OBE, the first Chief Midwife for the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), write this week’s article and speak on the Midwifery Hour. She reflects on her role and highlights the importance of strengthening midwifery across the world. _________________________________________________ As the first Chief......
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Midwifery Feature Articles Uncategorised

Midwifery at UNESCO: celebrating and lifting-up

Debra
UNESCO has added midwifery to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Jenny Hall, Midwifery editor, explains what this means and invites us all to celebrate and raise the profile of midwifery.   _________________________________________________ In early December members of the United nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) met for the 18th......
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