2007). Bladder management issues were also described as under-discussed and under-treated during the pregnancy, despite the observed commonality of these occurrences among pregnant women (Butterfield et al. 2007). This indicates a definite lack of discussion regarding the issue between midwives and their patients, which is a situation that itself must be resolved in order to address the problem of bladder incontinence in pregnant and post-natal women. Without developing a greater awareness of the issue in the midwife community, the seeking out of best practices and interventions for addressing the issue cannot be accomplished; greater assessment for bladder incontinence is definitely needed in order for successful and widespread applications of these strategies in both midwife and nursing practice to be accomplished (Butterfield et al. 2007).
At the same time, research itself must become better defined and more unified in regards to this issue, with clear ethical and empirical guidelines established that…...
mlaReferences
Birch, L.; Doyle, P.; Ellis, R. & Hogard, E. (2009). Failure to void in labour: postnatal urinary and anal incontinence." British Journal of Midwifery 17(9), pp. 562-6.
Butterfield, Y.; O'Connel, B. & Phillips, D. (2007). "Peripartum urinary incontinence: A study of midwives' knowledge and practices." Women and birth 20, pp. 65-9.
Dahlen, H.; Homer, C.; Cooke, M.; Upton, A.; Nunn, R. & Brodick, B. (2007). "Perineal Outcomes and Maternal Comfort Related to the Application of Perineal Warm Packs in the Second Stage of Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial." Birth 3(4), pp. 282-90
Dannecker, C; Wolf, V.; Raab, R.; Hepp, H. & Anthuber, C. (2005). "EMG-biofeedback assisted pelvic floor muscle training is an effective therapy of stress urinary or mixed incontinence: a 7-year experience with 390 patients." Archives of gynecology and obstetrics 273(2), pp. 93-7.
Midwife's Tale by Laurel Ulrich. The author of this paper explores the book, the film and a web site about the story to compare and contrast the three. Using information from each source we are given the opportunity to evaluate the importance each site places on certain events and beliefs.
A MIDWIE'S TALE
Throughout history, we have used archived and discovered journals to help us piece together what happened before us. Many slavery accounts came from former slaves, while many accounts of politics came from the journals of politicians. Rarely, however, do we get a look at the pure way of life for the average poor American. A Midwife's Tale, is a recreation of the actual diary pages of Martha Ballard. Ballard lived in the 18th century and recorded many of the every day ways of life that she witnessed. Years later we are fascinated to learn what her life and…...
mlaFor someone interested in studying the life of Martha Ballard, utilizing all three venues would give the most thorough answers. However, if one has to choose a single method, the book would probably allow for the best understanding. It gives the reader a chance to see all the details, without having to decipher spelling and without having to miss out on crucial events because of time constraints. Whether seeing the movie or reading the book or visiting the web site one will get a sense of what a strong and intelligent woman Martha Ballard was. She was a feminist without a cause. She was someone who led her life as she saw fit with little regard for public opinion on independent women. She gave 27 years to helping others and because she recorded her daily life she will spend the future continuing to educate.
Midwife's Tale accessed 2-11-2002) http://www.dohistory.org/diary/themes/purrinton/index.html )
Ulrich, Thatcher, Laurel. A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812 (Vintage Books 1991).
Midwife's Tale," by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich and "Narrative in the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave," by Frederick Douglass. Specifically, it will show how these individuals lived in very different social and cultural worlds, including Ballad's private world and Douglass' very public world, but it will also show they had more in common than it might seem.
TO DIFFERENT ORLDS
It goes without saying these two people lived entirely different lives. Martha Ballard grew up in New England, surrounded by her family. She was born in 1735, and died in 1812. She witnessed the American Revolution, and helped at the birth of over 800 children. She knew her mother and father, and was surrounded by relatives who lived in the Kennebec area. Frederick Douglass on the other hand, only saw his mother five or six times before she died when he was seven. He was separated from her when he…...
mlaWorks Cited
Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. New York: Dover Publications, 1995.
Ulrich, Laurel Thatcher. A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990.
life story of the author's grandmother and her experience bearing children. The writer of this paper presents a look at the facilities and the methods that were used with the grandmother and compares and contrasts them to the methods described in the Midwife's Tale.
NOT SO LONG AGO
The woman who was chosen for this interview is named Mildred Potase. She is the biological grandmother to the author of the paper, and she agreed to be interviewed for this project. Medical science has advanced so quickly in the last century, that the way women used to give birth, compared to the way they do so in more recent years is vastly different. However, the prenatal care was not always different, as many women preferred the care of a midwife over the care of a licensed medical doctor. This is a fad that seem to come in and out of popularity, and…...
mlaWORK CITED
Midwife's Tale
Interview With Mildred Potase.
Community Midwife Situation
This is a personal account based on my experience during a postnatal visit to a home where a new mother had given birth, in the town where I live. My own visit was because I was accompanying a midwife and observing the steps that the midwife takes. But while I was in the house I witnessed a situation with a young mother and a midwife that caused me considerable concern. This is a reflective account of that situation, and what should have been done, what could have been done, what are the correct steps a midwife should take to care for a primagravidae mother who is having problems getting her newborn girl to breastfeed -- all of those issues will be discussed and critiqued in this paper.
Home Births, Breastfeeding, Paperwork, and Priorities
Home Births: It is not a unique idea to give birth at home. I have always…...
mlaWorks Cited
MacDorman, M.F., Matthews, T.J., and Declercq, E. (2012). Home Births in the United States,
1990 -- 2009. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Munroe, S. (2011). Midwife Duties & Responsibilities. The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 3, 2013, from http://work.chron.com/midwife-duties-responsibilities-21928.html .
Community Midwife
It occurs every day and everywhere. It happens whether accidentally or intentionally, meticulously planned or not at all, and to those of an elder age or younger demographic. The birth of a new life requires aid during the process, along with receiving assistance before and post pregnancy. Individuals offering such service are known as a midwife. The World Health Organization or WHO recognizes midwifery as a role that "encompasses care of women during pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period, as well as care of the newborn."
Community midwives vary from those that work in hospitals. The former are involved from the beginning by scheduling the initial appointments, and manage and administer the workings of the clinic. As well, community midwives are present during the postnatal care at the mother's home, and are there for home births. Community midwives are to see women who are newly pregnant and take a detailed…...
mlaReferences
BBC - Health: Antenatal care . (n.d.). BBC - Homepage. Retrieved January 2, 2012, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/pregnancy/pregnancy_antenatalcare.shtml
Barger, M. (2005). Midwifery Practice: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going?: Future Challenges. J Midwifery Womens Health, 50, 87-90.
Buhler, L., Glick, N., & Sheps, S. (1988). Prenatal care: a comparative evaluation of nurse-midwives and family physicians.. CMAJ, 139, 397-403.
Community Midwives, LLC - safety of homebirth. (n.d.). www.smallcomputerprojects.com. Retrieved January 2, 2012, from http://www.smallcomputerprojects.com/cnm/safety.html
Cushman, Karen. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion ooks, 1995.
Plot Summary: A young girl who knows herself only as rat is all alone in the world. About twelve years old, she keeps herself alive by stealing and begging food. She buries herself in dung piles to keep warm while she sleeps. In the small village in England during the Middle Ages where the story takes place, local boys tease her and call her "dung beetle."
One morning Jane Sharp, the midwife, finds her and takes rat on as helper in exchange for a little food and shelter. The midwife is tough, mean, greedy, and stingy. She works the girl hard and gives her no more than she has to keep her alive. The girl makes friends with a cat who she names Purr, and feeds and protects from the village boys. One day the girl begins to value herself enough to…...
mlaBibliography
(April1, 2002).http://www.soemadison.wisc.edu/ccbc/midwife.htm
Sense of Her Own Worth. (March31, 2002).http://www.sct.org/stage/p_midwife5.html
To Be Someone: Words of Wisdom from Women Writers. http://www.sct.org/stage/p_midwife4.html
Expression of Interest: Community Midwifery Program
As a midwife, I am well aware of the fact that for every family that brings a new child into the world, that child is a miracle. No matter how often I assist with a birth, I feel grateful for my choice of career. Being a part of the Community Midwifery Program would enable me to help women who might not otherwise be able to afford or have access to a midwife take control over the birthing process. Being able to exercise autonomy over how they give birth is a tremendously empowering experience for pregnant women and their families. This would enable me to assume a role in Malta's first community-based programs for midwives.
At present, I am currently completing my degree in Community Midwifery. I chose to pursue further education in this specialization despite the fact that I already practice as a midwife because I…...
The only real issue facing the practice and acceptance of midwifery in the United States is the lack of standardization. Widely varying conceptions of proper midwife practices and expectations exist in the literature and among practitioners and institutions, making licensing and the validation of midwives and bodies of midwifery knowledge very difficult (Kennedy et al. 2003). Without this standardization and the validation capabilities that it leads to, it will be highly difficult for the midwifery professionals to be accepted by the medical community as the truly valuable resources they are. Many other countries have already adopted standardizations for midwifery practice, and if the United States were to follow suit it would be a giant bon to the practice of midwifery both domestically and internationally, raising awareness of midwifery practices and benefits in the general public and establishing higher quality and more stringent standards for midwife professionals.
This will also greatly increase…...
mlaReferences
Kennedy, a., Rousseau, a. & Low, L. (2003). "An exploratory metasynthesis of midwifery practice in the United States." Midwifery 19(3), pp. 203-14.
1996, p. 165). A study which questions the formal medical model of birth and suggests the important and often neglected role of the midwife is, Complicated pregnancy? find a midwife ( 2005). The study refers to a recent Swedish study published in the Journal of Perinatal Education which deals with the theory of midwifery care. Key aspects of this model include "…protection of a woman's individuality, promotion of a deep-rooted knowledge of childbirth, and support for a balance of the natural and medical perspectives" ( Star, 2005, p.23), the researchers determined that "…both normal and high-risk pregnancies benefit from midwifery care" ( Star, 2005, p.23)
If we take the theoretical trajectory suggested by the above articles and relate it studies of requests for cesarean section, we find some interesting results. In a study entitled Elective Cesarean Section and Decision Making: A Critical eview of the Literature (2007) it was found…...
mlaReferences
Castlenovo G. Mary Breckinridge (1881-1965). Retrieved from http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/press/pioneers/breckinridge.html
Lee a. And Kirkman M. ( 2008) Disciplinary Discourses: Rates of Cesarean
Section Explained by Medicine, Midwifery, and Feminism. Melbourne Health Care for Women International, 29, pp.448 -- 467.
Harvey S. et al. ( 1966) Randomized, Controlled Trial of Nurse-Midwifery Care
NICE Guidelines -- Midwives during postpartum
The ole of Midwife per NICE Guidelines
Pregnancy and childbirth is, in the majority of cases, a normal life event that proceeds to an uncomplicated outcome and can be effectively managed by a skilled midwife attendant. This also extends to assisting new mothers with postpartum care. The midwife is recognized as a responsible and accountable professional who can give the necessary support, care and advice during the postpartum period and provide the necessary care for the infant.
NICE guidelines recommend that new mothers and infants not be separated within the first hour. The midwife should encourage skin-to-skin contact -- before asking about feeding methods. If breastfeeding is the mother's preference, it should be encouraged within the first hour. During the first 24 hours after childbirth, midwives should ensure the woman's well-being and care by documenting blood pressure results and first urine voids within the first 6 hours.…...
mlaReference
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2012) Postnatal Care Pathway [Online]. Available at: [Accessed: 19 September 2012].http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/10988/30144/30144.pdf .
Nursing Organizations
The purpose, mission, activities, benefits, and target audience of two professional nursing organizations: The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and the American College of Nurse Midwives
A nurse beginning her medical career will likely want to join an organization that can support her throughout her tenure in the profession. On a personal level, professional organizations provide a source of continuing education and networking. On a professional level, organizations such as the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) act as advocates for the interests of professionals. They demand that nurses' unique areas of expertise are honored and treated with respect, and that the interests of children and their parents are honored. hen selecting which organization to join, however, a nurse must ask herself this critical, soul-searching question: what area is her primary field of practice? Does the nurse seek out…...
mlaWorks Cited
"About ACNM." American College of Nurse Midwives. [23 May 2012]
http://www.midwife.org/index.asp?sid=19
"About us." National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. [23 May 2012]
Home/ater Birth
An Analysis of the Benefits of Home/ater Birth
Like all decisions to be made regarding the birth of a child, there are pros and cons that go along with them. This paper will look at the pros and cons of home/water birth, from a legal, moral, social and ethical perspective, and show why home/water birth with a midwife is a positive, low risk alternative.
There are many points to consider when contemplating home/water birth. The first is that water birth takes place in a spot where many women find the most relaxation, a tub of warm water. "Some moms go through the labor in the water, but get out when it's time for the delivery," according to Pregnancy RX. Other moms deliver right in the water. Either option is available for women choosing water birth. Some other pros worth mentioning are:
First, the baby before it is delivered is used to being…...
mlaWorks Cited
Citizens for Midwifery. 2008. Web. 4 May 2011.
"Maternity Care: A Priority for Health Care Reform." Citizens for Midwifery. Jan 2009. Web. 4 May 2011.
"Midwives." American Pregnancy Association. 2011. Web. 4 May 2011.
"The Pros and Cons of Water Birth." Pregnancy RX. 2010. Web. 4 May 2011.
Martha Ballard and Harriet Jacobs
When we talk about Martha Ballard and Harriet Jacobs, we have to remember that both were the pathfinders for women in the occupation that they had undertaken. As a nurse, it may be true that Martha Ballard cannot be compared with Florence Nightingale, but at the same time, one has to remember that the social background of Florence Nightingale was totally different from Harriet Bleacher. The nursing jobs that were done by them were also in totally different spheres and were it not for the famous diaries of Martha Ballard; she may have remained unknown and unsung. To a certain extent, the story of Martha Ballard and Harriet Jacobs are the same as both of them came up from the lower strata of society and probably Harriet Jacobs was worse positioned having been a slave. Again her story has collected from her own efforts --…...
mlaReferences
A Midwife's Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. Retrieved from Accessed 15 September, 2005http://dohistory.org/book/100_introduction_txt.html
Harriet Jacobs. Retrieved from Accessed 16 September, 2005http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Sjacobs.htm
Leinhard, John. H. Martha Ballard, Mid-Wife. Retrieved from Accessed 15 September, 2005http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1035.htm
John. H. Leinhard. Martha Ballard, Mid-Wife. Retrieved from
The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists - The NACNS was founded in 1995, specifically to enhance and promote the unique and high-value contributions that clinical nurses make to the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities in their particular branch of healthcare. They also have a foundation, scholarship programs, a journal and discussion portal, various levels of conferences, scholarship programs, honors and awards, and the ability for advanced certification. A Clinical Nurse Specialist is a licensed N who has graduate preparation (MA or PhD) in nursing specifically as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. This field of healthcare goes beyond the duties of an LPN or N, or even charge nurse, and deals with either advanced levels of clinical specialization, or broader, community and national health concerns. The field requires a rather significant academic bent, and the association is designed to support and enhance that paradigm focus (CNS -…...
mlaREFERENCES
About ENA. (2010, January). Retrieved October 2010, from Emergency Nurses Association: http://www.ena.org/about/Pages/Default.aspx
About the ACNM. (2010, February). Retrieved from American College of Nurse-Midwives: http://www.midwife.org/members.cfm
CNS - Who We Are and What We Do. (2010, January). Retrieved October 2010, from National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists: http://www.nacns.org/AboutNACNS/MissionStatement/tabid/57/Default.aspx
Kozier, B., Erb, G. & Blais, K. (1997), Professional nursing practice (3rd edition),
Essay Topic 1: Traditional Maternal Health Practices and Beliefs among Indigenous Populations
Explore the diverse traditional maternal health practices, beliefs, and knowledge systems held by indigenous communities around the world.
Discuss the cultural significance, efficacy, and challenges associated with these practices.
Analyze the role of traditional birth attendants, healers, and cultural beliefs in shaping maternal health outcomes.
Essay Topic 2: Intercultural Collaboration in Enhancing Maternal Health Care for Indigenous Women
Examine the importance of intercultural collaboration between healthcare professionals and indigenous communities to improve maternal health care.
Discuss strategies for effectively addressing cultural differences, communication barriers, and health disparities faced by....
Impact of a Top-Down Approach on Maternal Health Practices in Indigenous Communities
Introduction
A top-down approach, characterized by centralized decision-making and implementation of health programs, has significantly influenced maternal health practices in indigenous communities. Despite its widespread adoption, this approach has faced criticisms for its limited effectiveness in addressing the unique needs and cultural contexts of indigenous communities.
Challenges of a Top-Down Approach
Cultural Sensitivity: Top-down approaches often fail to consider the cultural values, beliefs, and practices that shape maternal health practices in indigenous communities. This can lead to interventions that are not culturally relevant or acceptable, resulting in resistance and low uptake.
....
1. Interprofessional collaboration, a vital aspect of contemporary healthcare, involves the seamless coordination and teamwork among healthcare professionals from various disciplines, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and therapists. This collaborative approach recognizes the distinct roles and expertise of each profession and leverages their combined knowledge and skills to optimize patient care. In this essay, we will delve into how interprofessional collaboration enhances patient care in healthcare settings, examining its benefits and implications for improved health outcomes.
2. Interprofessional collaboration promotes a holistic approach to patient care, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive and coordinated services tailored to their individual needs. By....
The Role of the Nurse Practitioner as a Change Agent in Health Policy, Patient, and Family Outcomes Introduction Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice nurses who play a vital role in the healthcare system. NPs are trained to provide primary and specialty care to patients across the lifespan, and they are often the first point of contact for patients seeking healthcare. As such, NPs are well-positioned to impact health policy, patient, and family outcomes. How Can Nurse Practitioners Impact Health Policy? NPs can impact health policy in a number of ways. First, NPs can provide input on the development and implementation of new policies.....
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