Analysis Of Midwifery

A midwifery profession means considerably more than working with cute and cuddly newborn babies. It gives you the ability and privilege to empower women through an amazing journey into motherhood. The reality of becoming a midwife and upholding a career is theoretically rewarding, but alongside it is understood that there comes a need for passion and hard work to be able to be a full time midwifery student through Otago Polytechnic. This essay will demonstrate my understanding of midwifery in New Zealand, my understanding of blended delivery of the Otago Polytechnic Midwifery Program, a sustainable student profile and the roles and responsibilities of midwives in New Zealand.

According to The New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) (2014),

I have considered the emotional and financial strain on my family, but I have total confidence in my ability to complete the course, and I have a fully supportive fiancé who supports me. I have been lucky enough to take several years away from work to spend time with my children, and this has already made us adaptable to one income. My fiancé encourages me to strive for the qualification and career that I have considered for many years. He is always willing to take the children away for me to study, and pick up extra home duties when I have assignments or study due. In regards to childcare for my children in these situations, we plan to employ an au pair so I am free to respond to calls from midwives I follow if it is out of school hours. Through listening to other first and second year Otago Polytechnic students of the midwifery degree it sounds like the workload comes in waves, but the rewards and satisfaction usually out way the hard times. My family has been informed how midwifery becomes a way of life and it will at some point interrupt social events, family events and day to day living. Although it will be a shame to miss out on these things, they understand the benefits of me working in such a satisfying job, and I am ready and willing to give it my

The Midwifery Council of New Zealand (2010) states that “the midwife works in partnership with women, on her own professional responsibility, to give women the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period up to six weeks, to facilitate births and to provide care for the newborn”. A midwife is responsible for providing women-centred care for all of her patients. Her women should have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their care and treatment. Good communication between the midwife and women is essential to providing evidence-based information tailored to the woman 's needs (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2010). In addition, it is the midwife’s responsibility to maintain appropriate levels of competence through ongoing training. As midwifery education continues to develop in New Zealand it is important not only to gain a midwifery qualification, but to remain up to date with research evidence to inform their practice. The Midwifery Council requires midwives to engage in a certain amount of continuing education every three years, which includes opportunities from short courses through to postgraduate certificates, diplomas, master’s degrees and doctorates (NZCOM,