Introduction to Research Midwives: The Maternal Health Detectives

Midwives have long been the guardians of childbirth, providing care that is both compassionate and informed.

However, the role of the midwife has evolved significantly over the years, with a growing emphasis on research.?

Research midwives are at the forefront of this evolution, combining clinical expertise with scientific rigor to advance maternal care.

What is a research midwife?

Heidi Hollands is here to give us the lowdown on this exciting job, and it sounds like a total blast! Watch instead!

What Do Research Midwives Do?

Research midwives are involved in every stage of the research process:

- Study Design and Participant Recruitment: They help design studies, secure ethics approvals, and recruit participants. Their unique understanding of childbirth and maternal health makes them invaluable in ensuring that research questions are relevant and meaningful.

- Data Collection and Analysis: Midwives collect and analyze data, often using their clinical insights to interpret findings in a way that is both scientifically sound and practically applicable.

- Evidence-Based Practice: By integrating research findings into clinical practice, midwife researchers ensure that care is always based on the latest evidence. This not only improves outcomes but also enhances the quality of care provided to women and newborns.

- Leadership and Collaboration: They work closely with other healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers to implement changes based on research findings.?

This collaborative approach ensures that midwifery care remains holistic and responsive to the needs of women and families.

Get to witness a day in the life of research midwife!

The Importance of Research Midwives?

Midwives have a distinct approach to childbirth and reproductive health, focusing on natural processes that no other healthcare professional matches.?

Increasing midwives involvement in research means all women receive the highest quality, culturally relevant, evidence-based health midwifery service. Just as the of International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) recommend.

To visualise the importance of research midwives, let me walk you through the story of Pethidine.

On this note…

Meet Eva Nissen, a midwife who investigated the hypothesis that pethidine negatively affects the baby's feeding reflexes and its capacity to reach the breast.

Pethidine was originally introduced in Germany in 1939. The term was first used in labour in 1940.?

Since then, pethidine has been the most extensively used systemically administered opioid for obstetric analgesia (pain relief), maybe because it is cheap and easy to deliver.?

Eva found that infants exposed to Pethidine had delayed and depressed sucking behaviour and that a smaller proportion of these babies started to suckle as compared to those who were not exposed to Pethidine.

These findings probably contributed to a reduction in the use of pethidine in Sweden from 45% to 10%.

Today, new wisdom has evolved and supports the use of Pethidine to relieve labour pain and demonstrated minimal negative effects on newborn and mother within the first 24 hours. And Pethidine could be a cheaper alternative for epidural, just beware of harmful dosing and other options.

Research midwives play a crucial role in enhancing maternal care, and their relevance can be summarized in three key points;

- Enhancing Maternal Care: Researching women's experiences allows midwives to provide tailored care that boosts outcomes and satisfaction.??

- Informing Policy and Practice: Research results shape policies and clinical guidelines, ensuring midwifery care is grounded in evidence.??

- Inspiring Future Leaders: Encouraging young midwives to participate in research fosters innovation and excellence in maternal care.??

Challenges and Opportunities

Research midwives find their work fulfilling but face challenges. Let's unveil these challenges;

- Research jobs often conclude after projects, leading to midwives seeking new opportunities and often working part-time in various roles.

- Engaging in research demands learning digital tools, which can be a steep learning curve.

- Patience is essential; research can take significant time—years may pass from protocol development to final findings.

- Financial investment is necessary for research endeavors, often requiring external funding, which can be challenging (hectic in reality) to secure.

However, this dual role also presents opportunities for growth and innovation.?

As midwives become more involved in research, they contribute to a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the profession.

A not-so-gentle reminder for midwives and aspiring midwives

I stumbled on this update from Neel Shah while preparing this article...

His remark reminds us of the vitality of accurate information consumption. Research is essential to our profession, as it provides the foundation for our insights and practices.?

This article reflects a commitment to evidence-based knowledge, built upon the work of esteemed organizations and researchers.?

Every piece of advice, from breastfeeding positions to midwifery techniques, should be supported by rigorous findings.?

While some may view understanding research as optional, it is a vital skill for both students and practicing professionals alike, empowering us to provide the best care possible.?

Embrace the journey of learning and let research illuminate your path!

Closing Words

From bedside to bench-side, research midwives are a non-negotiable of maternal care, combining compassion with academic rigor to create a safer, more fulfilling childbirth experience.?

Their work not only improves outcomes but also empowers the next generation of midwives to become leaders in evidence-based practice.?

As we celebrate these pioneers, we recognize the profound impact they have on shaping the future of midwifery and maternal health worldwide.

Till next time my midwife!?????