The confirmation of pregnancy, morning sickness, anxiety about screen-ing tests and final hurdle of labour to brscreen-ing the infant to meet its parents is a lengthy journey that midwives share with families.
Women are the focus, they are making the physical, emotional and psychological leaps ‘From Me to Mother’ (Gutteridge 2002) some man-age with ease, others struggle and take a long period of adjustment. The stories and truths women describe after their childbearing experiences
are a rich fount of information; we need these narratives to both under-stand the quality of care and also build pathways that are respectful and responsive.
Understanding how women think and reach a level of achievement as mothers is complex and unique; it will even change from child to child. Her experiences as a daughter will be the template of her future parenting; she will accept and reject practices from her own parents.
The influence of society has the potential to mould and lead trends in childbearing and motherhood, it is vital to understand these sociological nuances.
Midwives are part of the journey that women make into their unknown, they can support, educate, advocate and influence the outcomes, and their position is powerful and undisputed. The way midwives and maternity services engage with fathers and other family members are critical, women generally need to feel their families are welcomed and inclusive.
The relationships women have with their developing fetuses starts very early in the pregnancy and cements throughout with factors such as screening and fetal movements influencing this unique union. Her dreams are more vivid, her fantasies extreme reinforcing her fears and aspirations of both her baby and also her own potential as a mother.
The closeness she experiences in the first few minutes after birth affirms her bonding with her baby and her dreams finally becoming reality.
To be part of this journey is a privilege, it should not be undertaken lightly and treated with the respect and nurturance it deserves, for the future of the child with its parents is part of our service.
Key implications for midwifery practice
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The experience of pregnancy is unique for each woman. Consider how women you care for are adjusting to the physical, psychological and emotional changes of pregnancy. Ask them how they are feeling and how they are coping with being pregnant.•
Physical contact with a newborn baby is important for all mothers.Consider how you support this practice for all women in different cir-cumstances. You might want to explore new ways of working to ensure that mothers have the opportunity to see and be with their baby at all times.
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Fathers are an important part of a baby’s life, providing support and care to both the new baby and its mother. Consider how you support the needs of the father throughout pregnancy, the birth and beyond.You might want to look at how your maternity service meets the needs of fathers and families.
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