HEALTH MATTERS 39 baby boom MY ROLE AS A MIDWIFE


attending for antenatal care. We aim to provide holistic care to each woman and we understand the importance of personalising their care. At present, the majority of women attend an obstetric-led clinic, where care is provided by both midwives and doctors. The majority of women have a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy and these women are offered the opportunity to be cared for in the midwife-led clinic. Following very positive feedback from a recent review of the Midwife-led Clinic, we aim to increase the availability of this service for all suitable women.


HELEN MOLONEY, OUTPATIENTS DEPARTMENT MIDWIFE


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taff in Cork University Maternity Hospital work as a multidisciplinary team, with each member of the team playing a key role in providing a world-class, women-centred, care facility. My role as a midwife in this team is to be with a woman throughout her journey from pregnancy to motherhood. Working in the Outpatients Department, I am very conscious that this is where the women will meet the midwife for the first time. This first meeting is important and I try to put women at their ease and develop a rapport with them as it shapes their perception of the service and affects their entire experience. My role involves taking an accurate history from the woman, including medical history, family history, social history and obstetric history. I document the care given. I use my clinical skills and judgement at all times. Education and health promotion is key to the care. I am an advocate for the woman during her pregnancy. In our parentcraft classes, I facilitate women, and their birthing partners, to prepare for birth and the transition to parenthood. Within the Outpatient Department my role varies immensely. I have the opportunity to work in a variety of clinics such as the midwife-led clinic, obstetric clinic, gynaecology clinic, fertility clinic, paediatric clinic and the hysteroscopy clinic. The majority of women attending CUMH are


“in our parentcraft classes, i facilitate women, and their birthing partners, to prepare for birth and the transition to parenthood.”


The Perinatal Medicine Clinic was developed to cater for women whose pregnancies are complicated by pre- existing medical conditions or those who are experiencing complications of pregnancy. These women will often require more frequent visits to the clinic. My role includes organisation of referrals,


co-ordinating the running of the Perinatal Medicine Clinic and arranging appropriate follow up. I attend the weekly perinatal medicine meetings with the obstetricians where care is planned for these women, such as arranging additional scans and extra visits to see their obstetricians. The women attending these clinics can be quite anxious, and a large part of my role involves providing reassurance and ensuring they are kept fully informed and involved in their care at all times. I enjoy working as a midwife in the antenatal clinic and being with these women on their special journey.


JANET MURPHY – ADVANCED MIDWIFERY PRACTITIONER CANDIDATE


I am currently a candidate to become an Advanced Midwifery Practitioner at Waterford Regional Hospital. The advanced midwifery practitioner post at Waterford Regional Hospital was developed out of a need for an expert midwife practitioner for the hospital’s midwifery led services. The post was created after an extensive review of the local integrated hospital and community service. The advanced midwife practitioner will


provide clinical supervision for midwifery led services and develop an apprenticeship model of evidence based midwifery care to benefit both clients and midwives. The advanced midwife practitioner will also be responsible for her own caseload of women with specific midwifery care needs. janet took up the post of candidate advanced midwife practitioner in midwifery care in december 2009. I am demonstrating my core advanced midwifery practice competencies through portfolio development and hoping to be accredited this summer. My role has had a positive impact on the


maternity services and midwifery profession through ongoing demonstration of clinical leadership.


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