Midwifery on the Front Lines

HH/HLST 1011 Midwifery on the Front Lines | Lecture 5 Notes: Introduction to Midwifery: ● Midwifery forms part of a health science and profession with a base in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. ● Such include delivery of prenatal care, support during labor and delivery, and during the postpartum period for the mother and the newborn. Historical Context 1. Traditional Midwifery ● Traditional midwifery dates back to centuries and is mostly community-based, with such knowledge passed on from one generation to the other. 2. Modern Midwifery ● However, modern midwifery is qualitatively different because it is now soaked in medical technology, plus it has formal education, licensing, and regulation in most countries. Practice Settings of Midwives Home Births - Midwives care for patients in homes and are focused on the natural processes of giving birth. Hospital Settings- They practice with obstetricians and other medical staff and observe medical processes that must be used. Community Clinics- They are care points targeting the underserved populations and are preventive in nature, featuring an element of education. Challenges of the Midwives in the Front Line ● These range from failure of resources to high-risk situations, including being ill-equipped in cases of emergency. HH/HLST 1011 Cultural and Social Barriers ● There are quite several cultural practices and beliefs that have direct links with childbirth and gender inequality; these are a hindrance to care. Provision of Care 1. Primary Care Provider The midwife performs the routine checks, and monitoring of fetal development and also provides nutritional advice and prenatal care. 2. Labor and Delivery In the phase of the labor process, the midwife offers emotional and physical support to the mother with the aim of bringing about safe delivery. 3. Post-Delivery Post-delivery, they assist in breastfeeding and taking care of the newborn and also closely follow the recovery of the mother and her psychological state. Role of Midwifery ● Midwifery has an essential role in mortality reduction to mothers and children through proper identification, appropriate timely management and also correct follow-up care. ● The midwives again educate the woman and assist their informed choices and decisions, supporting the woman's view on women's health by having a perspective view of what affects women's health. Case Studies and Examples Ethiopia: - In Ethiopia, midwives are heavily used in rural areas through clinic circuits and community health programs. United Kingdom: - The organizational structure of the midwives in the National Health Service of the United Kingdom and their close interaction with the obstetricians are appreciably intact. HH/HLST 1011 Haiti: - There is a need for better training programs for local midwives to reduce maternal mortality rates. Midwifery Education and Training ● The formal education programs include Bachelor's and Master's degrees that emphasize Midwifery, which provides for certification and licensing. ● There is a strong emphasis on continuing education, with most midwives attending workshops, conferences, and online courses that keep practitioners in step with practices and research. Advocacy and Policy ● Global initiatives that are either guided or supported by the WHO, in addition to the standards from the ICM, are significant avenues for midwifery advocacy. ● National policies also support midwifery programs and promote maternal and child health. Technological Advances in Midwifery ● Technology has transformed midwifery. Telehealth allows for distant consults and follow-ups, hence extending the care to those residing in unserved regions. ● The mobile health apps monitor or update pregnancies and, at the same time, educate women in labor. Human Interest Stories and Testimonials ● Quite typically, midwives working in conflict areas have such powerful stories of how it is challenging to provide care, and yet they succeed in doing so. ● On the contrary, mothers who receive midwifery care often express vibrant and favorable experiences and testify to a significant influence on their history of childbirth.