Overview OF Midwifery
The word midwife means ‘with woman’ and our job encompasses the care and support of women and their families during the antenatal (pregnancy), intrapartum (labour and birth) and postnatal (after delivery) period, up to 28 days. Midwives are experts at dealing with normal pregnancy and birth, a doctor’s involvement would only need to be sought if there were any concerns (NHS Local 2014).
Midwives work in a range of settings
- Community – GP surgeries, Children Centres and women’s Homes
- Hospital – Labour Ward, Antenatal Ward, Postnatal ward and antenatal consultant
clinic
The work involves not just practical physical care and delivering babies but in on-going support and education, counselling and preparation of the women and their families for the delivery of a new life (NHS Careers 2014).
Midwives work in a range of settings
- Community – GP surgeries, Children Centres and women’s Homes
- Hospital – Labour Ward, Antenatal Ward, Postnatal ward and antenatal consultant
clinic
The work involves not just practical physical care and delivering babies but in on-going support and education, counselling and preparation of the women and their families for the delivery of a new life (NHS Careers 2014).
Pregnancy related lumbo-pelvic pain
Pregnancy related lumbo-pelvic pain is common affecting up to 1 in 6 women of childbearing age (NHS Choices 2014a).
Pre-existing chronic pelvic pain may increase in severity during pregnancy. The reasons for this may be mechanical as a result of changes in pregnancy which lead to postural changes in posture as shown in the video clip below (Keriakos et al 2011).
However, pain is multifactorial and perceptions of long term continuing pain may be influenced by anxiety, emotions, mood, pain beliefs and coping mechanisms (Pincus et al 2002). For those with pregnancy related lumbo-pelvic pain a fear of injury or fear of the effects on the unborn child may also contribute to pain perception.
View the clip below and and consider the postural changes that occur in the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine and how these changes may affect the underlying tissues and contribute to feelings of 'discomfort'.
Pre-existing chronic pelvic pain may increase in severity during pregnancy. The reasons for this may be mechanical as a result of changes in pregnancy which lead to postural changes in posture as shown in the video clip below (Keriakos et al 2011).
However, pain is multifactorial and perceptions of long term continuing pain may be influenced by anxiety, emotions, mood, pain beliefs and coping mechanisms (Pincus et al 2002). For those with pregnancy related lumbo-pelvic pain a fear of injury or fear of the effects on the unborn child may also contribute to pain perception.
View the clip below and and consider the postural changes that occur in the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine and how these changes may affect the underlying tissues and contribute to feelings of 'discomfort'.
Click on the button below to learn more about pelvic girdle pain and then answer a quiz on the games and quizzes section of the site to test your knowledge.
Click on the button below to explore potential drug treatments for chronic pelvic pain and the issues that come with taking drugs in pregnancy
.