Overview

The role of the midwife in optimising complex care.

Enabling professionalism; support and encourage professional behaviours and appropriately challenge.

Autonomous role of the midwife in a high-risk setting - dissecting autonomy.

Enhancing women’s autonomy and links to autonomy of midwife.

Acting as a woman’s advocate collaborating with and challenging colleagues as necessary

Promoting positive outcomes through optimising normal physiology, and support safe physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual processes.

Anticipating and preventing complications and use interventions only when necessary.

Referral, working with others, human factors, multiprofessional working.

How cultural, spiritual, political, ethical, legal, social, economic and environmental factors can influence the provision of maternity care.

Midwifery practice within an ethical framework based on respect for the wellbeing of women and their families.

Learning Outcomes

• Critically appraise the role of the midwife in optimising women’s capabilities under all circumstances

• Critically evaluate midwifery care to maximise optimal outcomes, making appropriate use of relevant current evidence and guidelines and interprofessional collaboration and referral

• Critically reflect on and evaluate the influences of the cultural, spiritual, political, ethical, legal, social, economic and environmental factors on maternity care

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the professional role and responsibilities of the midwife to include a thorough understanding of the ethical principles, and the legal and statutory framework that governs midwifery practice