Never be afraid to question practice: the professional dilemma of a student midwife
As a third-year caseloading student midwife, I experienced a professional dilemma during an intrapartum placement while working on a busy obstetric unit: to use vaginal examination to confirm full dilatation (a medical approach) or advocate normality and a woman-centred approach. This article explores the three influential forces that contributed to the dilemma: the culture of obstetric units, the midwife-woman relationship, and the importance of assertive behaviours to achieve autonomy. Through reflection and use of Gibbs' (1988) reflective cycle, I highlighted the need to develop my assertive skills, which also led me to make amendments to my own practice; this helped me transition from student to a newly qualified midwife.
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2020 ◽
Vol 103
(11)
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pp. 1178-1184
2012 ◽
Vol 7
(3)
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pp. 209-213
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