The Hands-on Guide to Midwifery Placements

The perfect companion for student midwives in clinical settings, packed full of useful and practical information to help guide and enable you to get the best out of your midwifery placements.  This compact, portable text includes what to expect on each type of placement – whether it be working in a low or high risk environment – from how to prepare for practice, what you can anticipate whilst you’re there, the key essential skills to acquire, what pitfalls and problems to be aware of, and how to deal with them if they do arise.  Each chapter contains ‘Top Tips’ from current or recently qualified midwifery students, as well as real life student experiences and suggestions for further readings.

Luisa Cescutti-Butler is Senior Lecturer in Midwifery at Bournemouth University.

Margaret Fisher is Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) of Midwifery at the University of Plymouth.

Contributors ix

Foreword xi

Preface xiii

About the Editors xv

Acknowledgements xvii

List of Abbreviations xix

1 Introduction to midwifery and the profession 1
Susan Way

Introduction 1

Philosophy of care 1

What is the practice of midwifery? 1

Introduction to philosophy 1

Two opposing philosophies 2

Women’s views of maternity care 6

Top ten tips for what women want from their midwives/student midwives 7

Watch your language 8

What is a midwife? 11

The nursing and midwifery council (NMC) 11

The NMC and midwifery education 15

The NMC and practice requirements 18

The NMC and assessment of practice 19

Raising concerns 21

Guidance on using social media and social networking as a student 22

Conclusion 26

References 29

Further resources 31

2 Preparation for practice 32
Henrietta Otley

Introduction 32

The theory–practice gap 32

Work–life balance 33

Shift work 34

Night shifts 35

Time management 37

Working with mentors 38

Multiprofessional/interprofessional working 39

Jargon and abbreviations 40

Practicalities 41

Support for you in placement 42

Having a specific learning difference and how this may impact you in the workplace 42

Other disabilities 44

Other sources of support 45

Conclusion 45

References 49

Further resources 49

3 Assessment of practice 50
Margaret Fisher

Introduction 50

Purpose 51

Process 53

Practice placements 53

Sign-off mentor 54

Ongoing achievement record (OAR) 58

Assessment document 59

Grading of practice 61

Practice progress review meetings (tripartites/triads) 64

Positives 67

Pitfalls 68

Preparation 69

Fitness to practise 71

Conclusion 74

References 75

Further resources 76

4 Low-risk midwifery placements 77
Jo Coggins

Introduction 77

People you may meet 77

Developing skills 80

Before birth 81

Pre-conception clinics 81

Booking Clinics 82

Antenatal clinics 83

Advising women over the telephone 85

Antenatal classes 85

During birth 86

Birthing centres 86

Homebirth 91

Care of women who are at low risk in high-risk areas 93

After birth 93

Dos and don’ts for community working 95

Uniforms 96

Being with families in their homes 96

Conclusion 101

References 102

Useful reading 102

Further resources 102

5 High-risk midwifery placements 103
Margaret Fisher

Introduction 103

Learning opportunities available 104

Learning through observation and feedback 105

Learning from the interprofessional team 106

Learning about evidencebased practice 108

Learning about technology and interventions 110

Learning about more complex interpersonal and communication skills 112

Learning about decisionmaking and leadership 113

Types of high-risk placements 114

Antenatal clinic 115

Antenatal ward 116

Day assessment unit 117

Labour ward or central delivery suite 117

Postnatal ward 122

How to prepare 123

When you have a planned placement 124

When the unexpected happens 124

Dealing with the fallout 125

Conclusion 126

References 130

Further resources 131

6 Caseloading 132
Stella Rawnson

Introduction 132

Back to the beginning 132

What is student midwife caseloading practice? 133

Organisation of learning experience 133

Advantages of caseloading practice 134

Students’ views and experiences 135

A sense of feeling valued 136

Working more independently 136

Belief in self as practitioner 136

Organisational and leadership skills 136

Reflecting on personal priorities for care 137

Practicalities of planning and providing care (living the reality) 141

Building a personal caseload 141

Communication pathways 143

Role and responsibilities 145

Maintaining professional relationships 145

Safe and effective practitioner 146

Record keeping 146

Women’s views and experiences 147

Wanting to contribute to student learning 147

Valuing continuity of carer 148

Enhanced care 148

Conclusion 148

References 150

7 Wider experiences 151
Margaret Fisher

Introduction 151

Learning opportunities 153

Interprofessional

teamworking 153

Communication and interpersonal skills 154

Clinical skills 154

Learning about conditions 157

Specific learning 158

Other useful experiences 165

Mental health 165

Other departments 166

How to prepare 167

Conclusion 169

References 172

Further resources 173

8 Student electives 174
Luisa Cescutti-Butler

Introduction 174

What is an elective placement? 174

How long are elective placements? 175

Reasons for undertaking an elective 175

What could you do in this period? 176

‘Staycation’ – remain in your clinical location 176

‘Staycation with a twist’ – remain within the Trusts where your University places midwifery students 178

UK based but outside the locality of your University placements 180

Overseas elective 181

Planning your expenses 187

Where can I get funding for an elective placement? 187

What sort of questions might you see on an application for funding form? 188

Budget planner 189

Erasmus Programme 189

Other ideas/opportunities

during your elective 192

What next following your elective? 193

Conclusion 194

References 196

Further resources 196

9 What next? 197
Faye Doris

Introduction 197

Preparing for interviews 197

Are you staying in the same unit? 198

Are you moving away? 198

Curriculum vitae 199

Format of CV 200

Pitfalls with CVs 200

Presentation of your CV 200

Personal statement 202

Covering letter 202

The actual interview 202

Things to do 202

Presentations 203

Tests as part of the selection process 203

Post-interview 204

Being professional 204

The Royal College of Midwives and UNISON 205

Supervisors of midwives 206

The Midwives in Teaching Project: what did this tell us? 206

Career opportunities 208

Clinical 209

Education 209

Research 209

Management 209

‘Rabbits in headlights’ 210

References 213

Further resources 213

Index 215

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