Moira Williamson

Midwifery and the context of care: is it possible to be 'woman centred'?

Moira Williamson et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:43 PST

Title: Midwifery and the context of care: Is it impossible to be ‘woman centred’? Dr Moira Williamson, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia, ph. +61 2 4221 3381, email: moiraw@uow.edu.au Dr Lindsey Harrison, School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong Background: Findings from a qualitative study show that the context of care can inhibit midwives’ provision of woman centred care; especially impacted is their ability to provide culturally appropriate care. Aim of the Study: The aims of the study were to gain an understanding of midwives’ concepts of culture and to explore their strategies to incorporate cultural sensitivity into professional practice, especially in relation to Indigenous women. The study also explored factors that impact on the provision of culturally appropriate care. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty two midwives in three different geographical locations within New South Wales, Australia. A modified grounded theory approach was used for the data collection and preliminary analysis. Emerging findings were explored with and compared to relevant theoretical perspectives, particularly those of Foucault. Findings: The context of practice has a direct impact upon midwives’ approach to care. A woman-centred approach is often lost when midwives are working within busy hospital settings, where they lack power and control and are usually time poor. Woman-centred care is replaced by the midwives’ need to anticipate care provision and there is a tendency to take a generic or ‘recipe’ approach to care as a result. This is less likely to occur in community settings, where midwives have more time and control shifts to the woman. In hospitals, bureaucratic procedures are emphasised over the individual decisions of midwives and the woman. Conclusions and Implications: A focus on practice alone is insufficient. The context of care needs to be examined before woman-centred care can be realised. It takes courage to challenge the ‘system’, however where there is resistance, there is possibility for change for the benefit of women and their families.

Providing culturally appropriate care: A literature review

Moira Williamson et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:42 PST

As part of a study that explored how midwives incorporate cultural sensitivity, into their practice, the literature was reviewed to ascertain how the concept of culture has been, defined and what recommendations have been made as to how to provide culturally appropriate care, to individuals from Indigenous and/or ethnic minority backgrounds.

How do Australian midwives deal with cultural diversity?

Moira Williamson — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:41 PST

Current ways of knowing; colonial discourse and Indigenous Australians

Moira Williamson et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:40 PST

How midwives perceive themselves and their practice

Moira Williamson — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:39 PST

Midwifery: preparation for practice

Moira Williamson — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:38 PST

As the coordinator of a postgraduate midwifery program I was delighted to review this new Australian and New Zealand midwifery textbook. From the moment I opened the cover to read the contents section I knew that the chapters of this textbook were developed to lead the reader into the ‘context’ of midwifery practice in Australia and New Zealand which encompasses ‘the woman, the midwife, partnership, autonomous practice and collaborative practice’. Within each of the above sections there are a range of chapters that have been written by Australian and New Zealand midwives. Their information is based on research or knowledge that reflects a unique Australian and New Zealand content in relation to the ‘philosophy and standards of the New Zealand and Australian College of Midwives’ (Pairman et al., 2006, p. vii). I have specifically chosen to review chapters written by the editors. This is in recognition of their wonderful achievement not only as editors of an excellent, specific Australian and New Zealand midwifery resource but also for their contribution to the text as authors of individual chapters.

Changing midwifery culture through mentorship: the path to new frontiers!

R Mitchell-Allen et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:37 PST

Refreshing Midwives: Education for Practice

Heather Gulliver et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:36 PST

This module will journey through the phase of midwifery care from shortly after birth and into the extended postnatal period. You will explore some of the contextual changes in postnatal care over the last decade. Women's voices will be heard with regard to their needs during the postnatal period. An overview of care during the postnatal period will be given with an emphasis on the emotional components of family health and wellbeing. The significant morbidity and frequency of postnatal depression will be discussed. Tools to help to identify women suffering with this postnatal mood disorder will be given. Several resources will be offered to assist you to be confident in sharing both evidence-based and consistent advice to women planning and supporting the woman to breastfeed. Examples of families with complex needs in the postnatal period will also be given. You will be asked to explore some of your strengths in assisting these families.

Research-based practice: promoting lifelong learning

Moira Williamson et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:35 PST

Working with the 'Ghosts in the Nursery' - the impact on midwifery practice

Moira Williamson et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:34 PST

Midwifery matters scholarship sub-committee report

Moira Williamson — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:33 PST

An Australian perspective of fatherhood and sexuality

Moira Williamson et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:32 PST

Objective to describe and explore the effect that pregnancy, childbirth and adjustment to a new baby have on the sexual relationship of fathers. Design a content analysis, using a qualitative approach, was undertaken on the written comments provided by fathers on a 6-week postpartum postal survey. The survey was undertaken to provide information relating to fathers¿ adaptation to fatherhood. The father's functional status was measured using, the Inventory of Functional Status-fathers (IFS-F) Tool. Setting a regional location within New South Wales, Australia. Participants (fathers) were recruited through postnatal services within hospital and community settings. Participants volunteer study participants consisting of 204 fathers were sent a questionnaire at 6 weeks postpartum. The questionnaire was returned by 128 study participants (fathers). The participants were men experiencing fatherhood for the first time or who were adding to their existing families. Findings comments by the study participants revealed that sexual relationships during pregnancy and the postnatal period undergo a variety of changes that may affect the couple's relationship. Key conclusions and implications for practice it is important for health-care professionals, particularly midwives, to recognise that variance in sexual activity during the childbearing period does occur, and that there is a need for the midwife to be open to individual discussion of sexual activity with the woman and her partner during pregnancy and postnatal periods. Holistic care of women and their partners in the childbearing period requires health professionals to effectively communicate current information and education on sexuality.

National competency standards for the midwife: Australian nursing and midwifery council (ANMC)

H Cooke et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:31 PST

Workforce issues, skill mix, maternity services and the Enrolled Nurse : a discussion

Moira Williamson et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:30 PST

New South Wales (NSW) is experiencing a shortage of registered midwives. Currently midwives are being actively recruited for 125 metropolitan and 45 rural positions in area health services across the state. This shortage of registered midwives is occurring not only in NSW but also throughout Australia, and has also been reported internationally (McKenna & Hasson, 2002; Keeney et al. 2005). In an attempt to address the ongoing shortage of registered nurses and midwives the NSW Health Department has proposed that a skill mix of 80% registered nurses or midwives to 20% enrolled nurses be implemented within hospitals. This initiative will have significant consequences for women and their families receiving care within maternity units and for the midwives who currently deliver that care should this be implemented within Maternity units.

Bold; cultural safety and midwifery practice

Moira Williamson — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:29 PST

This presentation will explore the concept of cultural safety and its recent endorsement by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, within the National Competency Standards for the Midwife. Discussion will focus on the impact of colonisation on the Australian Indigenous population and outline the subsequent implications for midwifery practice. This discussion will be illuminated by data from a study that explored how midwives currently incorporate cultural sensitivity into their practice.

Midwifery practice and the context of care

Moira Williamson et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:28 PST

Big - the diversity and scope of midwifery: implanting and nuturing best practice

Moira Williamson et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:27 PST

Qualitative research: enlightening midwifery practice

Moira Williamson et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:26 PST

Book Review Matters

Moira Williamson — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:24 PST

Social adversity and resillence for mothers and infants in the perinatal period: partners involvement is crucial

Moira Williamson et al. — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:10:23 PST

From an exploratory study that looked at the functional status of fathers following birth, the authors have gained insight into the effect of birth and the postnatal period on the transition of men to fatherhood. It is well documented in the literature that health professionals focus on the adaptation of women to pregnancy, birth and motherhood and the impact that this transition may have on the mother and baby dyad. In comparison the research exploring the transition of men to fatherhood is a fairly recent phenomenon. This presentation will discuss the findings from a study that explored the functional status of new fathers who were surveyed 6, 12 and 24 weeks after the birth of their baby. Of 205 men surveyed 128 (63%) responded to week 6 survey, 101 (50%) responded to the 12 week survey and 84 (41%) responded to the 24 week survey. Over 90% of the respondents were satisfied with fatherhood and the changes that had taken place in their lives since becoming a father. The results from the analysis of these surveys will be discussed. Highlights from the fathers written comments about a range of effects of a new baby on their relationship with their partners and new baby will also be disseminated. The support of fathers is crucial for the wellbeing of their partners and new baby.