NM Practice Settings

In this discussion I would like you to explore the various types of practice setting that midwives may practice in.
1. Home birth
2. Free standing Birth Center
3. Low risk in hospital setting.
4. Tertiary care/ high risk setting

Reflect on how midwifery practice is shaped by the setting.
Reflect on the relationship between midwife and community.
What is the midwife's role in promoting the "normalcy of birth" especially in challenging environments?
I look forward to your thoughts.
Deb

Theoretical Framework for Practice

I was never much on theoretical anything. I worked in a solo practice (just me) in a community where I was the only female provider as well as the only midwife for 50 miles. I thrived on the rush that participating in the miracle of birth provided that I just didn't give the why and how of my practice much thought. It just seemed to make sense...the process worked the way it was designed. It was only after 10 years or so and working along side many MDs and nurses who didn't view birth the way I did that I began to think there might be some basis or foundation other than my own thoughts and feelings for midwifery practice.

There has long been a debate about the relationship between feminist theory/feminism and midwifery. Bill McCool addressed this in the late 80's with his classic article. Cragin did an anlysis of three different theories of midwifery practice. Theory development in midwifery practice is still evolving.

Share you thoughts on these three questions:
1. What are your general thoughts and relfections on the three framework models in the Cragin article?
2.How is feminist theory consistent or not consistent with nurse-midwifery practice?
3. Is it even important to have a theoretical basis for practice? Why or why not?

Journaling the Journey

Journaling is a great way to share thoughts and express feelings that otherwise we would keep to ourselves... I always encourage students to journal their midwifery experience. You can go back and read your initial writings and see the growth in thought, practice and perspective. I also encourage women to journal their pregnancy experiences. Every woman experiences pregnancy in a uniquely personal way. Ambivalence, joy, anxiety, self-doubt are all part of the journey. The journey of being a student can be compared to pregnancy and birth...

1st trimester: We start out nauseated...What was I thinking????? Some of us vomit profusely...some of us barely notice it. We are excited nontheless. We start to envision the possibilities

2nd trimester: The nausea has lessened...appetite is increasing...I want to eat everything I can find...starting to gain a few pounds. We read everything we can get our hands on. It is all NEW knowledge... I can do this!!!!

3rd timester: Beginning to feel bloated and REALLY tired. You have got be kidding! I cannot possibly put one more thing on my to-do list and that assignment is due when?????? I think I might be hypertensive and more than a bit irritable. Getting closer, but it feels like it will never end...Can I be induced???? NOW??????

Labor starts: Is this real or not??? I am not sure...I think I will go take a bath...

OK..this is different..I think I will take another bath.....maybe not..I am not ready...I still have more to do....

Transition: Holy cow!!!!! Do not touch me, do not talk to me, just let me do this....I can't do this!!!!!!! I want to quit now!!!!!!!

It is time to PUSH....WOW this hurts...but feels like I should anyway...I CAN DO THIS!!!!

Relief....I DID IT!!!! Isn't she beautiful!!!!

As one journey ends another begins......

Share your journey.....Deb

Welcome

Welcome to the Nurse Midwifery Student Journal. This is the place to post your experiences, thoughts, clinical challenges and clinical pearls to share with other nurse midwifery students in your cohort as well as other cohorts.