2007). Bladder management issues were also described as under-discussed and under-treated during the pregnancy, despite the observed commonality of these occurrences among pregnant women (Butterfield et al. 2007). This indicates a definite lack of discussion regarding the issue between midwives and their patients, which is a situation that itself must be resolved in order to address the problem of bladder incontinence in pregnant and post-natal women. Without developing a greater awareness of the issue in the midwife community, the seeking out of best practices and interventions for addressing the issue cannot be accomplished; greater assessment for bladder incontinence is definitely needed in order for successful and widespread applications of these strategies in both midwife and nursing practice to be accomplished (Butterfield et al. 2007).
At the same time, research itself must become better defined and more unified in regards to this issue, with clear ethical and empirical guidelines established that….

Midwife's Tale by Laurel Ulrich. The author of this paper explores the book, the film and a web site about the story to compare and contrast the three. Using information from each source we are given the opportunity to evaluate the importance each site places on certain events and beliefs.
A MIDWIE'S TALE

Throughout history, we have used archived and discovered journals to help us piece together what happened before us. Many slavery accounts came from former slaves, while many accounts of politics came from the journals of politicians. Rarely, however, do we get a look at the pure way of life for the average poor American. A Midwife's Tale, is a recreation of the actual diary pages of Martha Ballard. Ballard lived in the 18th century and recorded many of the every day ways of life that she witnessed. Years later we are fascinated to learn what her life and….

Midwife's Tale," by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich and "Narrative in the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave," by Frederick Douglass. Specifically, it will show how these individuals lived in very different social and cultural worlds, including Ballad's private world and Douglass' very public world, but it will also show they had more in common than it might seem.
TO DIFFERENT ORLDS

It goes without saying these two people lived entirely different lives. Martha Ballard grew up in New England, surrounded by her family. She was born in 1735, and died in 1812. She witnessed the American Revolution, and helped at the birth of over 800 children. She knew her mother and father, and was surrounded by relatives who lived in the Kennebec area. Frederick Douglass on the other hand, only saw his mother five or six times before she died when he was seven. He was separated from her when he….

life story of the author's grandmother and her experience bearing children. The writer of this paper presents a look at the facilities and the methods that were used with the grandmother and compares and contrasts them to the methods described in the Midwife's Tale.
NOT SO LONG AGO

The woman who was chosen for this interview is named Mildred Potase. She is the biological grandmother to the author of the paper, and she agreed to be interviewed for this project. Medical science has advanced so quickly in the last century, that the way women used to give birth, compared to the way they do so in more recent years is vastly different. However, the prenatal care was not always different, as many women preferred the care of a midwife over the care of a licensed medical doctor. This is a fad that seem to come in and out of popularity, and….

Community Midwife Situation
This is a personal account based on my experience during a postnatal visit to a home where a new mother had given birth, in the town where I live. My own visit was because I was accompanying a midwife and observing the steps that the midwife takes. But while I was in the house I witnessed a situation with a young mother and a midwife that caused me considerable concern. This is a reflective account of that situation, and what should have been done, what could have been done, what are the correct steps a midwife should take to care for a primagravidae mother who is having problems getting her newborn girl to breastfeed -- all of those issues will be discussed and critiqued in this paper.

Home Births, Breastfeeding, Paperwork, and Priorities

Home Births: It is not a unique idea to give birth at home. I have always….

Community Midwife
It occurs every day and everywhere. It happens whether accidentally or intentionally, meticulously planned or not at all, and to those of an elder age or younger demographic. The birth of a new life requires aid during the process, along with receiving assistance before and post pregnancy. Individuals offering such service are known as a midwife. The World Health Organization or WHO recognizes midwifery as a role that "encompasses care of women during pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period, as well as care of the newborn."

Community midwives vary from those that work in hospitals. The former are involved from the beginning by scheduling the initial appointments, and manage and administer the workings of the clinic. As well, community midwives are present during the postnatal care at the mother's home, and are there for home births. Community midwives are to see women who are newly pregnant and take a detailed….

Cushman, Karen. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion ooks, 1995.
Plot Summary: A young girl who knows herself only as rat is all alone in the world. About twelve years old, she keeps herself alive by stealing and begging food. She buries herself in dung piles to keep warm while she sleeps. In the small village in England during the Middle Ages where the story takes place, local boys tease her and call her "dung beetle."

One morning Jane Sharp, the midwife, finds her and takes rat on as helper in exchange for a little food and shelter. The midwife is tough, mean, greedy, and stingy. She works the girl hard and gives her no more than she has to keep her alive. The girl makes friends with a cat who she names Purr, and feeds and protects from the village boys. One day the girl begins to value herself enough to….

Expression of Interest: Community Midwifery Program
As a midwife, I am well aware of the fact that for every family that brings a new child into the world, that child is a miracle. No matter how often I assist with a birth, I feel grateful for my choice of career. Being a part of the Community Midwifery Program would enable me to help women who might not otherwise be able to afford or have access to a midwife take control over the birthing process. Being able to exercise autonomy over how they give birth is a tremendously empowering experience for pregnant women and their families. This would enable me to assume a role in Malta's first community-based programs for midwives.

At present, I am currently completing my degree in Community Midwifery. I chose to pursue further education in this specialization despite the fact that I already practice as a midwife because I….

The only real issue facing the practice and acceptance of midwifery in the United States is the lack of standardization. Widely varying conceptions of proper midwife practices and expectations exist in the literature and among practitioners and institutions, making licensing and the validation of midwives and bodies of midwifery knowledge very difficult (Kennedy et al. 2003). Without this standardization and the validation capabilities that it leads to, it will be highly difficult for the midwifery professionals to be accepted by the medical community as the truly valuable resources they are. Many other countries have already adopted standardizations for midwifery practice, and if the United States were to follow suit it would be a giant bon to the practice of midwifery both domestically and internationally, raising awareness of midwifery practices and benefits in the general public and establishing higher quality and more stringent standards for midwife professionals.

This will also greatly increase….

1996, p. 165). A study which questions the formal medical model of birth and suggests the important and often neglected role of the midwife is, Complicated pregnancy? find a midwife ( 2005). The study refers to a recent Swedish study published in the Journal of Perinatal Education which deals with the theory of midwifery care. Key aspects of this model include "…protection of a woman's individuality, promotion of a deep-rooted knowledge of childbirth, and support for a balance of the natural and medical perspectives" ( Star, 2005, p.23), the researchers determined that "…both normal and high-risk pregnancies benefit from midwifery care" ( Star, 2005, p.23)
If we take the theoretical trajectory suggested by the above articles and relate it studies of requests for cesarean section, we find some interesting results. In a study entitled Elective Cesarean Section and Decision Making: A Critical eview of the Literature (2007) it was found….

NICE Guidelines -- Midwives during postpartum
The ole of Midwife per NICE Guidelines

Pregnancy and childbirth is, in the majority of cases, a normal life event that proceeds to an uncomplicated outcome and can be effectively managed by a skilled midwife attendant. This also extends to assisting new mothers with postpartum care. The midwife is recognized as a responsible and accountable professional who can give the necessary support, care and advice during the postpartum period and provide the necessary care for the infant.

NICE guidelines recommend that new mothers and infants not be separated within the first hour. The midwife should encourage skin-to-skin contact -- before asking about feeding methods. If breastfeeding is the mother's preference, it should be encouraged within the first hour. During the first 24 hours after childbirth, midwives should ensure the woman's well-being and care by documenting blood pressure results and first urine voids within the first 6 hours.….

Nursing Organizations
The purpose, mission, activities, benefits, and target audience of two professional nursing organizations: The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and the American College of Nurse Midwives

A nurse beginning her medical career will likely want to join an organization that can support her throughout her tenure in the profession. On a personal level, professional organizations provide a source of continuing education and networking. On a professional level, organizations such as the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) act as advocates for the interests of professionals. They demand that nurses' unique areas of expertise are honored and treated with respect, and that the interests of children and their parents are honored. hen selecting which organization to join, however, a nurse must ask herself this critical, soul-searching question: what area is her primary field of practice? Does the nurse seek out….

Home/ater Birth
An Analysis of the Benefits of Home/ater Birth

Like all decisions to be made regarding the birth of a child, there are pros and cons that go along with them. This paper will look at the pros and cons of home/water birth, from a legal, moral, social and ethical perspective, and show why home/water birth with a midwife is a positive, low risk alternative.

There are many points to consider when contemplating home/water birth. The first is that water birth takes place in a spot where many women find the most relaxation, a tub of warm water. "Some moms go through the labor in the water, but get out when it's time for the delivery," according to Pregnancy RX. Other moms deliver right in the water. Either option is available for women choosing water birth. Some other pros worth mentioning are:

First, the baby before it is delivered is used to being….

Martha Ballard and Harriet Jacobs
When we talk about Martha Ballard and Harriet Jacobs, we have to remember that both were the pathfinders for women in the occupation that they had undertaken. As a nurse, it may be true that Martha Ballard cannot be compared with Florence Nightingale, but at the same time, one has to remember that the social background of Florence Nightingale was totally different from Harriet Bleacher. The nursing jobs that were done by them were also in totally different spheres and were it not for the famous diaries of Martha Ballard; she may have remained unknown and unsung. To a certain extent, the story of Martha Ballard and Harriet Jacobs are the same as both of them came up from the lower strata of society and probably Harriet Jacobs was worse positioned having been a slave. Again her story has collected from her own efforts --….

The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists - The NACNS was founded in 1995, specifically to enhance and promote the unique and high-value contributions that clinical nurses make to the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities in their particular branch of healthcare. They also have a foundation, scholarship programs, a journal and discussion portal, various levels of conferences, scholarship programs, honors and awards, and the ability for advanced certification. A Clinical Nurse Specialist is a licensed N who has graduate preparation (MA or PhD) in nursing specifically as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. This field of healthcare goes beyond the duties of an LPN or N, or even charge nurse, and deals with either advanced levels of clinical specialization, or broader, community and national health concerns. The field requires a rather significant academic bent, and the association is designed to support and enhance that paradigm focus (CNS -….