Revised standards of proficiencies for midwives: an opportunity to influence childhood health?

The first 1 000 days of life, from conception until a child's second birthday, are significant in terms of influencing childhood health (Black et al, 2016; Cusick and Georgieff, 2018; House of Commons...

From handover to takeover: should we consider a new conceptual model of communication?

Clinical handover has long been an important topic among both clinicians and academics interested and involved in patient safety in healthcare It is widely recognised that clinical handover represents...

Being bullied as a midwifery student: does age matter?

The increased numbers of older students undertaking midwifery education (Carolan, 2011) adds an interesting dimension to the issue of bullying on clinical placement With research on bullying still...

Promoting leadership roles in midwifery

Induction of labour—the debate

Induction of labour is currently a topical issue in midwifery This month, I am risking controversy by discussing my thoughts on the debate over increasing induction of labour Over the past two years,...

Breaking the silence

Richard Horton, the editor-in-chief of the Lancet, described stillbirth as ‘one of the most neglected, marginalised, and stigmatised issues in global health today’ (Jolly, 2016) More than 26 million...

Supporting the next generation

As student midwives, we all come across a real variety of cases It is, arguably, the sole purpose of our large number of Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)-stipulated placement hours; to experience...

Fathers staying overnight at the maternity ward?

Abdominal palpation—a core skill

My mind starts to wander to the days spent training and the basic midwifery skills taught to the midwives in the health centres The two health centres I taught at were in remote ‘kebeles’ (villages)...

A box of memories

The Sands memory box is a tool for midwives, and those supporting bereaved parents, to provide sensitive opportunities to begin the lifelong process of acknowledging and remembering their baby

Influenza and pregnancy

Pregnant women are at higher risk of developing complications following influenza, particularly in their second and third trimesters, due to their altered immunity and physiological adaptations...

Fathers' perinatal mental health

Around 10 years ago, there was little discussion around the incidence of postnatal depression Statistics by Cox et al (1987) demonstrated that at least 1 in 10 mothers suffered from it and this was...