Midwifery
What is it?
Midwifery is a job in which you really can literally meet someone new every day!
What does it involve?
Midwives offer individual care to women and their families and help them take part in their own care planning during pregnancy. Both during and after pregnancy you will be with the woman in her own locality.
Midwifery is as much about supporting the woman and her partner, as helping with the birth of the baby. Support continues from the confirmation of the pregnancy through the post-natal period (i.e. the period after the end of labour during which the attendance of the midwife upon a woman and baby is required, being not less than 10 days and for such longer period as the midwife considers necessary.)
What are the special demands?
Counselling, listening and general communication skills are obviously essential. Many mothers especially new ones will need advice and support. Aside from the practical caring skills you also have to be aware of the social and cultural context in which childbirth takes place.
Why will you make a difference?
Midwifery has a unique position in the health care professions. The service provided by midwives is invaluable and the profession offers an exciting and variable career pathway.
What is required from you is the desire to assist and an interest in women and their families through all stages of pregnancy. You will normally be the lead person in caring for pregnant women. You have to be capable of working on your own, as well as within the wider health care team. The development of practical skills and effective communication skills are also paramount to this profession.
Midwifery is a rewarding and challenging career, but it also allows for flexibility of working in every part of the country.
Subject: Want to know more about Midwifery? 
Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:35 pm