Are you a goodie?
What makes a Midwife?
Episode 4 is here-after my own baby birthing hiatus!
I’m grateful to have had my latest labour and birth experience to add another fresh perspective to the mix about what makes a 'good' Midwife?
I have often wondered, what makes ME a ‘good’ Midwife and does that change depending on who I ask? Obstetrician? Midwife colleague?nStudent? Client? Friend?
And I think it does!
So, I ask the question, what makes a 'good' Midwife?
What qualities make a ‘good’ Midwife?!
According to the Australian College of Midwives,
“A midwife is a health professional who supports you in labour and birth and helps you have your baby.”
“Midwifery is more than just a job; it’s a calling, a lifestyle, for some it’s even a key part of identity.” (See link below for full definition).
So what does that mean?? And am I even those things?!
Here we look at those traits identified as unique to a Midwife and some hot tips to reflect on where you see yourself.
Midwives are inherently caring; defined as: displaying kindness or concern for others/work or practice of looking after someone who is unable to look after themselves; especially due to age or illness
Different experiences leave you appreciating different qualities from your care provider.
Clinical knowledge and competence is a given-all of us have that fundamental training.
For Midwife leaders emotional intelligence has been identified as a vital element which comprises of being caring, supportive, warm, friendly, connected with others, empowering of others and ‘feeling’ their job.
Effective communication is critical, especially in tense circumstances-which we often experience in any given shift.
How do we enhance these traits, while surviving on the ward??
Enjoy my 3 hot tips:
Where do you sit on the emotional intelligence scale?
Who do you admire and respect at work? And why?
How are the people you care for feeling? And how do you treat them?
Point for reflection: How does the way we care for ourselves reflect back into our work?
Links and Resources:
Australian College of Midwives
‘She sort of shines’: midwives’ accounts of ‘good’ midwifery and ‘good’ leadership
Sheena Byrom, RN, RM, MA (Consultant Midwife)a,, Soo Downe, BA (Hons), RM, MSc, PhD (Professor of Midwifery Studies)Join the waitlist for our online course RECALIBRATE