The perfect companion for student midwives in clinical settings, packed full of useful and practical information to help guide and enable you to get the best out of your midwifery placements. This compact, portable text includes what to expect on each type of placement -- whether it be working in a low or high risk environment -- from how to prepare for practice, what you can anticipate whilst you're there, the key essential skills to acquire, what pitfalls and problems to be aware of, and how to deal with them if they do arise.

Table of Contents

• Contributors
• Foreword
• Preface
• About the editors
• Acknowledgements
• List of abbreviations
• 1 INTRODUCTION TO MIDWIFERY AND THE PROFESSION - Susan Way
• Introduction
• Philosophy of care
• What is the practice of midwifery?
• Introduction to philosophy
• Two opposing philosophies
• Women's views of maternity care
• Top ten tips for what women want from their midwives/student midwives
• Watch your language
• What is a midwife?
• The nursing and midwifery council (NMC)
• The NMC and midwifery education
• The NMC and practice requirements
• The NMC and assessment of practice
• Raising concerns
• Guidance on using social media and social networking as a student
• Conclusion
• References
• Further resources
• 2 PREPARATION FOR PRACTICE - Henrietta Otley
• Introduction
• The theory–practice gap
• Work–life balance
• Shift work
• Night shifts
• Time management
• Working with mentors
• Multiprofessional/interprofessional working
• Jargon and abbreviations
• Practicalities
• Support for you in placement
• Having a specific learning difference and how this may impact you in the workplace
• Other disabilities
• Other sources of support
• Conclusion
• References
• Further resources
• 3 ASSESSMENT OF PRACTICE - Margaret Fisher
• Introduction
• Purpose
• Process
• Practice placements
• Sign-off mentor
• Ongoing achievement record (OAR)
• Assessment document
• Grading of practice
• Practice progress review meetings (tripartites/triads)
• Positives
• Pitfalls
• Preparation
• Fitness to practise
• Conclusion
• References
• Further resources
• 4 LOW-RISK MIDWIFERY PLACEMENTS - Jo Coggins
• Introduction
• People you may meet
• Developing skills
• Before birth
• Pre-conception clinics
• Booking Clinics
• Antenatal clinics
• Advising women over the telephone
• Antenatal classes
• During birth
• Birthing centres
• Homebirth
• Care of women who are at low risk in high-risk areas
• After birth
• Dos and don'ts for community working
• Uniforms
• Being with families in their homes
• Conclusion
• References
• Useful reading
• Further resources
• 5 HIGH-RISK MIDWIFERY PLACEMENTS - Margaret Fisher
• Introduction
• Learning opportunities available
• Learning through observation and feedback
• Learning from the interprofessional team
• Learning about evidence-based practice
• Learning about technology and interventions
• Learning about more complex interpersonal and communication skills
• Learning about decision-making and leadership
• Types of high-risk placements
• Antenatal clinic
• Antenatal ward
• Day assessment unit
• Labour ward or central delivery suite
• Postnatal ward
• How to prepare
• When you have a planned placement
• When the unexpected happens
• Dealing with the fallout
• Conclusion
• References
• Further resources
• 6 CASELOADING - Stella Rawnson
• Introduction
• Back to the beginning
• What is student midwife caseloading practice?
• Organisation of learning experience
• Advantages of caseloading practice
• Students' views and experiences
• A sense of feeling valued
• Working more independently
• Belief in self as practitioner
• Organisational and leadership skills
• Reflecting on personal priorities for care
• Practicalities of planning and providing care (living the reality)
• Building a personal caseload
• Communication pathways
• Role and responsibilities
• Maintaining professional relationships
• Safe and effective practitioner
• Record keeping
• Women's views and experiences
• Wanting to contribute to student learning
• Valuing continuity of carer
• Enhanced care
• Conclusion
• References
• 7 WIDER EXPERIENCES - Margaret Fisher
• Introduction
• Learning opportunities
• Interprofessional teamworking
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Clinical skills
• Learning about conditions
• Specific learning
• Other useful experiences
• Mental health
• Other departments
• How to prepare
• Conclusion
• References
• Further resources
• 8 STUDENT ELECTIVES - Luisa Cescutti-Butler
• Introduction
• What is an elective placement?
• How long are elective placements?
• Reasons for undertaking an elective
• What could you do in this period?
• ‘Staycation’ – remain in your clinical location
• ‘Staycation with a twist’ – remain within the Trusts where your University places midwifery students
• UK based but outside the locality of your University placements
• Overseas elective
• Planning your expenses
• Where can I get funding for an elective placement?
• What sort of questions might you see on an application for funding form?
• Budget planner
• Erasmus Programme
• Other ideas/opportunities during your elective
• What next following your elective?
• Conclusion
• References
• Further resources
• 9 WHAT NEXT? - Faye Doris
• Introduction
• Preparing for interviews
• Are you staying in the same unit?
• Are you moving away?
• Curriculum vitae
• Format of CV
• Pitfalls with CVs
• Presentation of your CV
• Personal statement
• Covering letter
• The actual interview
• Things to do
• Presentations
• Tests as part of the selection process
• Post-interview
• Being professional
• The Royal College of Midwives and UNISON
• Supervisors of midwives
• The Midwives in Teaching Project: what did this tell us?
• Career opportunities
• Clinical
• Education
• Research
• Management
• ‘Rabbits in headlights’
• References
• Further resources