Dig into context. Explore the bigger picture
Tchouala Therese
Midwife | I use storytelling to uplift young midwives and swell women's confidence | Content Writer ??
Got some surprises?? for you at the end of this article. Read through to grasp it. Don't say you didn't know!
Last year, I sought to understand why menstrual blood is deemed dirty, while bloodshed on TV is considered normal.?
I discovered that a toxic blend of the impulse to conceal and personally manage menstruation, combined with post-menarche rules and restrictions society imposes, influences how we perceive and experience menstruation.
The big game happens within the context.
Likewise, in the midwifery profession, everything takes form within context. Let’s take a moment to explore this together!
What is context?
The term "context" derives from the Latin roots "con" and "texere," meaning "together" and "to weave."?
A seminar event is a prime example of this concept; it seamlessly weaves together key elements such as an engaging speaker, a compelling topic, an attentive audience, and an ideal location. Each component comes together to create a powerful and impactful experience!
It use today?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, context denotes “the circumstances that form the setting for an event”.?
Why does context matters?
Imagine juggling care for 2000 women each month in Malawi, while your bestie only sees 500 women a year in the UK. Talk about different worlds!
Malawi, a lower-income country, faces some eyebrow-raising challenges, like midwives using plastic bags instead of gloves during births to prevent HIV. You become a maestro of low-cost solutions and creative to manage high traffic, creating health education around budget-friendly local nutrients.
Meanwhile, your bestie is whipping up dietary plans for one (reminding moms-to-be to watch out for those double cheeseburgers!) and has a cozy setup with electricity and running water.
At the end of the day, both of you are doing your best for expecting mothers, proving that midwives need to grasp the place of context in order to provide personalized and holistic care to the communities they serve.
I love how Dr Jennifer Dixon DBE summarises others facets of context. She says that intervention + context = outcome. It's like a recipe where skipping ingredients leads to a burnt soufflé! While we’re all busy swooning over the latest gadget or service, we often ignore the soil—the not-so-glamorous context and cultural quirks that help these innovations grow. Avoiding this essential factor is like watering a plant with soda; it just won’t thrive, and before you know it, funds are flying out the window like bad confetti at a party!
Ways to Dig into Context
Step 1: Be respectful?
Imagine being part of a home birth where the family is all about their cultural traditions. Just as you're about to assist in the delivery, they hand you a ceremonial object resembling a rubber chicken, saying, “This is for good luck!”
Embracing these unique cultural elements not only builds a solid connection between midwives and families but also turns potentially awkward scenarios into cherished memories. Who wouldn't want to brag about delivering a baby while clutching a rubber chicken?
It’s all about respect—some women might fast for faith reasons or have unusual cravings that might not be your cup of tea. As long as it’s safe for both mom and baby, let the cultural celebration roll on!
Step 2: Be human?
Labor is an emotional experience, and being aware of the emotional context can enhance your support for families. Imagine this: during a particularly intense contraction, the mother suddenly starts crying—not from pain, but because she just realized she left the oven on!
Your ability to identify and respond to these emotional signals is crucial.?
Step 3 : Be humble?
Mariam Chughtai comment on context during the week 4 "Voices of Leaders Roundtable" of my Aspire Leadership Program, still rings hard.
She starts by saying people who acquire degrees now think they have the tools to fix all the problems and everyone else should free the stage.
She progresses by adding that to solve a problem, you need to approach the problem and people with genuine humility. Humility will help you understand that although you may have technical expertise gained during higher education or professional work experience, the people embedded into the context have a different kind of education you don't have.
That it''s a mistake to enter, and think you know more than they do.
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"Which brings us to not just understanding your context, but learning from our context and developing trust in people within the context."
This way you become the technical partner and the people an implementation partner.
Step 4: Be Curious?
Let the students narrate their challenges, ask teams to voice out their struggles and get feedbacks on women's experience et cetera.
Data is just a summary of thousands of stories after all.?
Go for the stories. What's research saying? What are people saying?? What's happening around the world? What is changed and why?
I found gist on the realities of mom and babies via Facebook groups, telegram communities and in the crowded comments section of social media platforms. These spaces are unexploited goldmines.
So, get set and start the digging!
Coming up next month; a proper introduction to midwifery and the possibilities it offers.
With love,
Till next week
Opportunities of the week
Deadline: 15th February 2025
2. Midwife jobs (UK)
The BMJ Health Careers have made it easy for you to receive & apply for latest local job vacancies within nursing. Visit the site here. Be ready to stress a little. But got a good cause.
3. Call for Papers
Maternity and Midwifery Forum are seeking for submissions to form the seminar programme at All Ireland Festival on the 8th April 2025. Grab this opportunity to share your work with colleagues and the world ??. Act fast. Submit here.
Deadline: 6 February 2025.
4. Festival Alert ??
Maternity and midwifery professionals are invited to hear inspiring speakers, network and update on career moves, practice updates and much more. Register for free here.
Date: Tuesday, 11th February 2025
Venue: Royal National Hotel, 38-51 Bedford Way, Euston London, WC1H0DG
Host: Maternity and Midwifery Forum
5. Call for proposals (100% online event)
Are you a student midwife, midwife or a birth enthusiast? The Virtual International Day of the Midwife celebrates the International Day of the Midwife live events will be presented every hour for 24 hours across 4th/5th/6th May 2025 (depending on the time zone) starting at 22:00 UTC on 5th May. Send your proposal here.
Note: Presenters must have a computer with headphones and a reliable Internet connection.
Deadline: 1st February 2025
Go conquer ??