Reflections from a student midwife:

Student Midwife Reflection six months into her course:

Wow what an experience the past six months has been! I have spent the first half of this year on the maternity ward at Southwest Hospital and work with a fantastic team of midwives. I have loved every day of it and although it has not been easy at times, it has been worth every moment.

I have been extremely lucky in my experiences and have been a part of some awesome births and met some amazing women. I have been a part of three water births, a vaginal twin birth including one breech, hypnobirthing and a baby ‘born in the caul’, just to name a few highlights. My mentor Susan is a great midwife whose knowledge and commitment to women and the midwifery profession astounds me. Although I mostly work with her, I realise it is important to work with other midwives as everyone works differently and has different pieces of knowledge which I know will help me to become the best midwife I can be.

Every Friday we have a Midwives Clinic where women who have shared care with their doctors, come to us for a few visits during their pregnancy. This for me is a real highlight, I enjoy meeting these women antenatally, even if it’s only briefly and building a rapport with them as it is the closest form of continuity of care we have here at the moment.

Everyday is constant learning whether I’m working in labour suites, on the postnatal ward, or in the Midwives Clinic, I usually come home mentally exhausted from everything I have learned that day, I feel like a big sponge absorbing everything! I have become much more confident in CTG analysis and breastfeeding education, although I am not as confident with vaginal examinations as each one is so different, so I am endeavouring to improve on that skill!

The hardest part of becoming a midwife for me is the constant battle for ‘normal birth’. I see midwives everyday advocating for their women to allow for the birth that they want and some doctors just need to interfere. It seems that some of them feel the need to ‘rescue’ these women from that ‘horrible thing’ called labour, they don’t seem to realise that it is the most natural part of life. I’ve seen women coping beautifully with a labour that is progressing and a baby not distressed at all and a doctor walk in and insist on interfering in one way or another, which alters the woman’s ability to trust her body and it appears to be only for the reason of doctor convenience. It is frustrating and on going. The doctors are there for those women, who need assistance in the birth of their baby and in obstetric emergencies, and that’s when midwives then step aside and work with the doctors for the safest option of birth, whether it be an operative vaginal birth or caesarean section. It can be draining being an advocate for these women to get a ‘normal birth’, but worth every bit of it when you get a happy and healthy woman with a happy and healthy baby.

The most important lesson that I have learnt is to always listen to the woman. If she states she feels an urge to push, yet was only 2cm dilated half an hour ago, BELIEVE HER!!

So another six months to go until I am a fully fledged midwife, it is scary, yet exciting. I can’t wait to see what to future holds and look forward to the rest of the year!

Written by Aleisha (Student Midwife)

Midwives wonderful women......dinner with Marg Phelan

Marg Phelan a midwife originally from Victoria, now living in NT (president of the Australian College of Midwives in 2003) is cycling around Australia to raise awareness for midwives, normal birth, women's childbirth choices and breastfeeding. Marg and her superb team travel on average 100k per day, what a feat.... tonight they were enjoying a glass of red, and the company of the ACM WA Executive, student midwives and colleagues.....

I have just come home having a wonderful dinner with a phenomenal group of women; being a midwife is such a privilege and opens the door to meeting a multitude of people from all walks of life.

The team

I was enjoying chatting to Marg's team, Sue a renal nurse specialist from the NT who is the driver of the bus, Lois a scientist from Victoria who advocates that cycling keeps you young, Rhea also from Victoria an infection control nurse, says she sleeps really well after cycling and its the best way to see the country and Rob who is a midwife also from Victoria who has just joined the group to do the driving from Perth to Victoria says no way am I cycling happy to drive the bus, so that Sue can do some cycling with Marg. Marg does all the cycling and the others take turns or cycle with Marg...I have to say it puts me to shame knowing that the average age of the group is 60 years young.... my legs just ache at the thought of 100k's a day.... oops ladies after our chat about going to bed early the computer went on when I came home....it was calling me......just had to write about you all before Alzheimer's set in....what an inspiration all these women are, such dedication and passion..... how would I describe them.... fantastic, wonderful, remarkable and unique.


A couple of our Bachelor of Midwifery students Beth and Lisa who organised the Mum's bub's and midwives at Point Walter also joined us for dinner....they had the opportunity to chat to the team, it's about the new and the experienced sharing the common goal of midwifery and how to keep moving the profession forward and upwards into the future.....

These sorts of evenings allow us to network, share stories, enjoy a glass of red... and just chat.....



Have a safe journey and we will be watching you.....go girl australia... anyone wanting to help Marg Phelan please visit her website or email her on margiphelan@hotmail.com


Ciao Pauline

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Marg Phelan.........Go Girl Australia

Go Girl Australia - Marg Phelan, cycled into Fremantle around 12noon today, it was a beautiful sunny day and there were wonderful people to meet her.....I was so excited... in my time I have waited for lots of different occasions and I must say I was thrilled to meet this exceptional woman.... I would put Marg Phelan in my 10 best people I have met in my lifetime....she is an extraordinary woman, such passion, drive, commitment for her fellow human being.....a truly inspirational woman.

Marg will be here from the 3rd - 9th Sept before heading south to Mandurah.


You still have a chance to meet Marg Phelan on Monday at Point Walter 12 - 2pm...come and share some time to meet and greet this amazing woman; -
Sponsor Marg with donations of cash, fuel vouchers, cycling gear, bike parts, accommodation, food;
Advertise Go Girl Australia through your business or community group
if you wish to donate to the cause please bring some cash with you or go online to Go Girl Australia and sponsor;

This is Marg Phelan just arrived at Woodman Point after cycling from Darwin. Go Go Girl!

Come and welcome Marg Phelan...... in Fremantle

Hi All Midwives and Women / families who read this blog and live in WA;

Marg Phelan arrives: If you are free on Friday 3rd Sept from about 1pm.... Marg is due to arrive in Fremantle at Big 4 Caravan Park, 132 Cockburn Road, Munster WA: Woodman Point Caravan Park: They will be setting off from Burns Beach Joondulup in the morning and cycling to Freo..

Want to know something about Marg Phelan visit her website http://gogirlaustralia.net.au/sponsorship/4537288921

Australian midwife Marg Phelan cycles around Australia for midwives, women, normal birth and breastfeeding. Marg Phelan, a mother and midwife from the Northern Territory, feels so passionate about women’s right to access midwives that she is cycling around Australia to spread the word that women have the right to choose where and with whom they give birth and to be properly supported in these choices. Marg Phelan says, “We believe that every Australian woman is entitled to continuity of midwifery care and good support to help achieve a normal birth and be able to enjoy breastfeeding. Far too many women are not well informed about their options in pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting.”
Go Girl Australia is a not-for-profit venture that aims to promote continuity of care from a known midwife, normal birth and breastfeeding.

Come down and welcome her, bring family, friends, a balloon and share the excitement......wave and support this extraordinary women into Freo.....

Cheers Pauline

Calling all members of the ACM......it's time for the annual general meeting;

To all financial members of the College, it is time for you to have your say....do you want something? do you want to changes something? or just soak up the atmosphere? be proactive this is your College: I will be sending some of the photos of our study days from WA.... if you have some photos you want to send for the slide please send them to the National office or I am happy to send them for you.
Have a weekend in Melbourne.....enjoy the AGM and then a show or and evening out...dine at some of Melbourne's finest restaurants.....

The Australian College of Midwives (ACM) will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 9th October 2010 in Glen Waverly (Melbourne), Victoria. Meeting papers will be arriving in the post in early September with more details.

As a valued member of the ACM you are warmly invited to attend this event and be updated on one of the most extraordinary years for maternity.

You also have the opportunity to create Motions to be heard at the meeting. Please note that all proposed Motions for consideration at the Annual General Meeting must be:

• Submitted in writing to the National Office by close of business on Monday 6th September, 2010;
• Proposed and Seconded by financial members of the ACM; and
• Accompanied by a brief rationale supporting the Motion (100-200 words)

Each year the team at the National Office creates a slide show photographs to pictorially portray our great achievements over the past year. We are keen to receive any photos that you may have that help us celebrate this wonderful profession.

If you would like to contribute photographs of yourself, colleagues or women and babies you have cared for, please email them through to Siobhan Gregory at reception@midwives.org.au

PLEASE NOTE: It is important to obtain permission to use images of others prior to sending through your photos.

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in October!

Invite to mums, dads, bubs and midwives.

Margaret Phelan is cycling around Australia to raise awareness for women's choice to have continuity of care with a known midwife. Please join us for a big mums, bubs, midwives get together to show our support for this extraordinary venture and fundamental human right.

Date: Monday September 6th
Time: 12-2pm

Place: Point Walter on the shore

Address: turn into Point Walter road from Canning hwy. Point Walter road becomes Honour Ave-down to river front. Bicton, Perth, Australia

Bring: A rug to sit on, picnic lunch, children, banner’s to support midwives, women and choice in childbirth

Please come and show your support
www.gogirlaustralia.net.au

Radio National's Life Matters program, after the 9am news.

Liz Wilkes and Ted Weaver are sheduled to debate the "collaborative arrangements" problem tomorrow/Thursday morning, on Radio National's Life Matters program, after the 9am news.

Please listen in and take any opportunity to make comment.

For those who'd like to hear the online audio, download the podcast, or make comment, the website is:
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/

Homebirth a matter of choice for Australian women

See this media release by the Greens

Australian Greens Health spokesperson, Senator Rachel Siewert has today announced the Greens’ policy for a National Homebirth reform package to provide women with greater choice at the time of their baby’s birth.

“We believe the choice to experience a safe and supported low-risk homebirth should be available in Australia,” Senator Siewert said today.
“The Australian Greens believe that women should have a range of birthing choices, including homebirths, in order to provide the best outcome for mother and child,” Senator Siewert said.

“There is no reason why homebirths should not be offered to women at low risk of complications, saying it may confer considerable benefits to them and their families,” said Senator Siewert.

“There is considerable international evidence showing that birthing at home increases a woman's likelihood of a birth that is satisfying and safe, with positive health implications for mother and baby alike.

“Our maternity care system should support parents to make informed choices and enable a smooth and timely transition to higher levels of care as the need arises.

“This allows for important aspects of birthing safety to be covered, providing women who wish to experience a homebirth the best of both worlds.

“We need to ensure we have a good understanding of the medical risk factors associated with childbirth and that women making this important choice have access to the best clinical care.

“At the same time we need to appreciate the impacts of stress on mother and child to ensure we look at the social and emotional factors that enable us to provide a safe and supportive
“Not only do the Greens think a more collaborative and integrated model of practice is possible – it is absolutely necessary,” concluded Senator Siewert.

Under the Australian Greens' proposal a National Homebirth Reform Plan would provide for:

a clear policy framework for midwifery care that defines the ‘collaborative’ relationship between midwifes and doctors
best practice within homebirth services built on fully supportive organisations' systems and structures
a shared philosophy that fosters a service culture of reciprocal valuing of all birth environments
comprehensive involvement by local multidisciplinary teams and users to underpin homebirth practices within a clinical governance framework
responsible and responsive practices maintained by effective clinical decision making

Insurance provision
An insurance product covering homebirth under the midwives’ own responsibility must be developed by the insurance industry or initiated by the Federal Government once the timeframe for the exemption for eligibility has passed.

ref:http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/