Midwifery

Pregnancy and birth are major events in the life of a woman and her family. Midwives provide care for women throughout pregnancy and childbirth and are the lead health professional for those women whose pregnancies are uncomplicated.

For women with complex pregnancies midwives will be the key co-ordinators of care within the multidisciplinary team. They will work closely with obstetricians, GPs, health visitors, maternity support workers, breast-feeding support workers and social workers to enable women and families to access the care and support they need.

Every contact will count to influence and maximise the health and wellbeing of all women, babies, families and communities throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period and beyond. Midwives will contribute fully to the public health agenda in conjunction with multi agency partners, service users, volunteers and user groups. Through partnership working midwives will seek to meet the challenges of reducing health inequalities through improving maternal and population health, ensuring the best start in life, thus contributing to a healthy life expectancy. Midwives will deliver innovative, evidence based, cost effective, high quality care within multi agency teams across hospital and community-based health and social care settings. Midwives will facilitate a positive and life enhancing transition to parenthood for women and their families in collaboration with women and partners, which will be achieved through the provision of trusted support and personalised care, considering individual needs, risk and circumstances. Sensitive, responsive bereavement services will be provided for those who experience poor outcomes to meet the needs of the grieving process and promote long-term health and well-being.