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Editorial: When is a caesarian section not a caesarian section? [sic]

By Manoharan, H
on Wednesday, 01 Apr 1998 in New Zealand College of Midwives Journal - Volume: 18

Caesarian section: is it a childbirth operation or is it an operation performed in childbirth? We are reminded constantly of the ever increasing application of this procedure in the western world. With improved morbidity and mortality rates there is less chance of infection and anaemia, and a reduction of the risks of thrombosis. There are many psychologically 'damaged' women who have not integrated their previous birth experience and are very fearful towards the imminent next one. Fundamentally, it's not that the previous birth was not a birth but an operation, as much as damage from attitudes of the professionals during her total care and the woman's feeling of loss of control.

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Letter to the editor re: Midwifery - The People Profession

By Calvert, S
on Wednesday, 01 Apr 1998 in New Zealand College of Midwives Journal - Volume: 18

One must congratulate Dr Cheryl Benn on her honest and thought provoking editorial about midwifery practice. Cheryl is so right, midwifery is a people profession, but midwives are frightened. The current atmosphere in practice is one of fear and trepidation. "Who will be next" seems to be the coin phrase and many midwives appear to be waiting for that sealed envelope with 'confidential' stamped in red ink inviting them to the Nursing Council or to state their case for ACC.

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Developing & Crafting A Vision: A Strategic Plan for Midwifery. A Case Study

By Pairman, S
on Wednesday, 01 Apr 1998 in New Zealand College of Midwives Journal - Volume: 18

In the brief existence of only eight years the NZCOM has made huge strides in, firstly, developing its vision and, secondly, in identifying strategies through which to achieve this vision. It may be that some of our vision will strike a chord with you and help you understand that midwifery's determination to have control over its existence is totally to do with ensuring the continued existence of a woman centred, family focused primary health maternity service in this country. Everything we are doing as a profession contributes to this vision. We want every pregnant woman to think 'midwife' when she discovers she is pregnant. We want every woman to approach childbirth and motherhood with confidence and joy. We want families to understand that birth is a normal, healthy life event which occurs within the community and over which the woman and her family have control. We want obstetric care to be easily available for those who need it, but not applied to those who don't. We want midwives to understand what it means to be 'with women', for each midwife to have a personal relationship with the woman's ability to give birth and become a mother. We believe that when the majority of midwives in New Zealand practise independently and in partnership with women, the maternity system will undergo massive change in its power structures, women and their babies will have significantly better experiences and better outcomes, and society as a whole will recognise and uphold childbirth as a normal, healthy life event. This is our vision.

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International Midwive's [sic] Day

By Donley, J
on Wednesday, 01 Apr 1998 in New Zealand College of Midwives Journal - Volume: 18

Last year the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) theme was Equity for Women. The ICM urged midwives to highlight issues of unequal status of women within their countries and to bring these to the attention of their governments. To date, the ICM theme has not yet been published. However, in view of the fact that during 1997 there has been no improvement in the status of mothers and babies, and since it is important to get publicity into the hands of the media early, we in the Auckland Region are proceeding with the unresolved 1997 foci - Breastfeeding and Paid Maternity leave.

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Women's subjective experience of ultrasound in pregnancy

By Oakley, M
on Wednesday, 01 Apr 1998 in New Zealand College of Midwives Journal - Volume: 18

Virtually all pregnant women in New Zealand undergo an ultrasound examination during pregnancy. Previous studies have been conducted to find out how women feel about the ultrasound examination, however, these studies were carried out in specialist centres with adequate equipment and plenty of skilled staff. It is not known what happens to women and their families in busy hospital clinics or private facilities. This study has focussed on the ethical issues surrounding the use of ultrasound technology and the identification of any ethical issues raised by the women. By conducting this study I have a greater understanding of how much women appreciate ultrasound examinations. However, the study shows that we need quality standards so that all women in the region can benefit equally. Based on the findings of this study, there is evidently a discrepancy between theory and reality. Health professionals fell short in their obligation to respect the woman and to promote her autonomy as a patient, and failed, sometimes, to provide a quality service.

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Reasons Why Nulliparous Women Continue To Smoke In Pregnancy

By Mostyn Williams, C
on Wednesday, 01 Apr 1998 in New Zealand College of Midwives Journal - Volume: 18

Background and Information: A challenge to midwives, in their role as health educators, is to provide information about the risks of smoking in pregnancy in an appropriate, well-informed non-judgmental manner. As health professionals we are constantly made aware of the increased health risk of a women [sic] smoking whilst pregnant or after birth. As Cowan (1997 p.10) points out, influencing change in at-risk families requires a considered and skilled approach. One factor which seems to be missing in research evidence about the problems associated with smoking and pregnancy is an inquiry of women of why they smoke. We are presented with the evidence of the potential harm that smoking has upon pregnancy but very little evidence as to why women continue to smoke. It was this point which led me to formulate the research question 'Why do nulliparous women continue to smoke in pregnancy?'

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Expectant Women & Inner Life

By Raphael-Leff, J
on Wednesday, 01 Apr 1998 in New Zealand College of Midwives Journal - Volume: 18

To my mind, the best way of ensuring the mental health of infants is to foster the psychological well-being of those caring for the baby before and after birth. For the 40 weeks before being born a baby is in continuous intimate visceral contact with the mother, absorbing not only nutrients but as new research evidence shows, subtle biochemical changes of her emotional ambiance. Pregnancy is as old as humankind; physiologically it has hardly changed over the millennia but culturally it varies a great deal in terms of societal practices and personal expectations an in terms of each individual woman's representation of herself and experience of her baby to come.

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Wool Fibre Infections

By Gardiner, G
on Wednesday, 01 Apr 1998 in New Zealand College of Midwives Journal - Volume: 18

The risk of wool fibre infection is generally well known within the wool industry. However, a great number of doctors, midwives and nurses are unaware of this occupational hazard. This survey was undertaken to measure the incidence and severity of wool fibre infections in female wool handlers.

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National Homebirth Conference Report

By Clarke, R
on Wednesday, 01 Apr 1998 in New Zealand College of Midwives Journal - Volume: 18

The National Homebirth Conference was held last year on the 17,18,19 October at Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay, Wellington.

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The 5th Asia Pacific Conference

By Guilliland, K
on Wednesday, 01 Apr 1998 in New Zealand College of Midwives Journal - Volume: 18

In February this year Nga Maia representatives and I attended, on behalf of the New Zealand College of Midwives, the 5th ICM Asia Pacific Regional Conference. The first day's symposium was specifically for the 55 invited countries of the South East Asia Pacific area to examine the Safe Motherhood issues in that area. Speakers included the WHO personnel involved in women's health issues and ICM leaders who presented their views on midwive's [sic] responsibilities in Safe Motherhood. Curricula and regulation issues which affect safe motherhood were also addressed.

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