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Midwifery Feature Articles

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New research unearths midwives’ problematic substance use for the first time

Debra
In recent years the pressure midwives are under is being documented across the world. Dr Sally Pezaro and Dr Karen Maher, from Coventry university, have taken this further with research investigation, and now would like your help.   Problematic substance use: an assessment of workplace implications in midwifery S Pezaro, K......
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Reflecting on the previous year in Maternity and Midwifery services

Debra
“It’s been a tough, tough year for everybody: and you have made significant and rapid changes to the way you work during the pandemic. It has been relentless and tiring for you.  However you have made a huge contribution to keeping our maternity services safe and keeping our mothers, babies......
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Why do 50% of pregnant mothers lapse from their iron supplements treatment?

Debra
During pregnancy, there is an increased need for iron as blood volume increases by 40-50%. During the second and third trimesters, dietary iron requirements can increase to as much as 30mg per day. High dose oral iron is the most recommended form of iron for pregnant women, however 8/10 suffer from the side effects of oral iron. This leads......
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Spread a little nappiness

Debra
In the news discussion continues to take place on climate change and how we can avoid the use of single use plastics. Disposable nappies have come into the spotlight. Ashley Artusa-Barrell, founder of My Son’s Planet, explores the issues.   Disposable nappies are big business. The disposable nappy industry is......
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Abortion laws and the United States: why it matters

Debra
The circumstances around abortion in the United States has hit the news this month as September 1st saw the introduction of a new law in Texas state. The law outlaws abortions for anyone with a fetus over 6 weeks gestation where cardiac activity of the fetus has been detected, unless......
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Love That Birth Physiology

Debra
Gaining knowledge of the anatomy and physiology around birth is an important aspect of a student midwife’s programme of education. It is also important to understand how the actions midwives take is related to the physiology. Molly is creator and teacher of the “Biomechanics for birth” courses, as well as......
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month

Debra
September is international FASD Awareness month, with FASD Day falling on 9th September, signifying the 9 months of pregnancy. This FASD Month, we are calling on people to ‘Think Differently’ about FASD.   “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability that affects the brain and body of people......
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Maternity & Midwifery Directory Launch

Debra
For maternity and midwifery services in the UK the pandemic seemed to make time stand still, if not go backwards. Home births cancelled, water births restricted, limited visitors (fathers were never allowed in when I was born). But time did not stand still.  Maternity and midwifery is going through its......
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A Holding Time Project call to arms: a collective portrait of breastfeeding

Debra
During National Breastfeeding week at the start of August Improving Me, the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Women and Children’s Partnership launched the Holding Time Project. This involved a call for participants in an inter-disciplinary, multi-channel art project, developed by visual artist Lisa Creagh on behalf of the partnership. The focus......
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How do NHS midwives facilitate women’s alternative physiological births?

Debra
In the print and social media heated debates have often taken place over interventions during birth. Some women and birthing people only want medicalised care where there is another group who want to choose less intervention birth. In this talk Claire discusses her PhD research, during which she explored how......