Midwifery Australian Nursing

Question: Discuss about theMidwiferyfor Australian Nursing. Answer: Introduction The Australian Nursing and Midwifery council regulates the nursing and midwifery practice at the national level. It includes members from all the states and territories. The essay deals with an emerging issue within the profession of midwifery. The essay highlights the evidence related to the topic and provides link to the relevant research and policies. The midwifery practices face challenges as midwifes in public sector are unable to meet their role as primary caregivers particularly in the materiality services in Australia (Kingwell et al., 2016). In the public sector the obstetricians are continuing to be the main caregivers. Even in the situation where there are low risk obstetrics patient physician are involved as primary caregiver and sometime playing the role of midwifes. In maternity services physicians were involved in intrapartum, antenatal as well as postnatal care. Therefore, it is a matter to wonder as to what exactly is the role of midwifes. The study executed by Kingwell (2013) showed that midwifes in Australia perceive that fulfilling their role is not possible in relation to the international definition of midwife. This data is supported with the study of Eadie and Sheridan (2017) which mentioned that midwifes experience less autonomy. They do not receive the opportunity to practice their knowledge and skills acquir ed in the training. The care delivered by midwifes is affected as they lack confidence to deliver high quality care. They do not practice to their full potential. Sandall et al., (2016) highlighted that obstetrician in public sector demand the midwifes to call them to be present even in the low risk deliveries. There are instances where the low risk woman prefers the physician to review or take their delivery. It is due to perception created that only the physician can ensure safe delivery. Such assumptions are trivialising the place of the midwifes. Eadie and Sheridan (2017) suggested that there is a need of the modification of the implemented roles and require restructuring of jobs. There is a need of modification of the deeply-entrenched hierarchiesand replace with more modern work models of management. Hospitals need to enhance the role of midwifes. In conclusion it can be said that the midwifes need to ensure consistent standards of training and practice. They must get the trust and respect they deserve. There is a need of role modification or restructuring of jobs so that midwives get more opportunities to practice to their full potential, make informed choices and play more advocacy role. It will ensure developing skills and confidence to uptake more responsibility towards the care of pregnant women. References Eadie, I. J., Sheridan, N. F. (2017). Midwives experiences of working in an obstetric high dependency unit: A qualitative study.Midwifery,47, 1-7. Kingwell, E. L. (2013). Do midwives possess the knowledge, skills and confidence to care for acutely ill women within the tertiary maternity hospital setting?. Kingwell, E. L., Butt, J., Leslie, G. (2016). Maternity high-dependency care and the Australian midwife: A review of the literature.Women and Birth. Sandall, J., Soltani, H., Gates, S., Shennan, A., Devane, D. (2016). Midwife?led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women.The Cochrane Library.