The Heart, Hands and the Mind in Midwifery

The Heart, Hands and the Mind in Midwifery The Art of Midwifery Midwifery places the woman and the midwife at the centre of midwifery care. It is said that midwifery is an art that uses the heart, the hands and the mind. In relation to working with woman in childbearing this essay will discuss this statement. The essay will look at these three essential elements of midwifery, the heart, the hands and the mind, showing detail of how each are related and the importance of each element when working with women in childbearing. The heart looks at the key values of compassion, respect for the women, the baby and oneself, and the importance of women centred care. The hands focus on the skills, techniques and therapeutic touch of the midwife and the mind highlights reflective and ethical practice, and the knowledge required to practice safely and competently. The Heart At the heart of midwifery practice is the relationship between the midwife and the woman. This involves a relationship of trust. The women, relies on the midwife to give her confidence. The midwife is trusted by the woman to know what is best for herself and her body. The midwife benefits the childbearing woman with clinical knowledge, skills and recommendations, forming a relationship of mutual trust and respect (Alef Thorstenson, 2004). The mother and the baby are the central focus for the midwife. Pelvin (2006) describes the midwifes role as one of privilege. The intimate relationship between the midwife and the women exists, through a personal and momentous event in the life of a woman. The physiological procedure of birth and the post natal relationship between mother and baby is facilitated by the midwife however the midwifes influence does not end there, the role attempts to assist the women to have a deeper understanding of herself and of her family relationships. A fundamental value of midwives as stated in the (Australian Nursing and Midwifery council [ANMC] Code of ethics, 2005) is the value of kindness and compassion to others and self, by respecting the fundamental rights and choices of the mother and ensuring that practice is ethically and culturally appropriate. Acts of kindness such as being gentle, considerate and caring should be a constant approach to midwifery care. The art of midwifery involves achieving a balance between being competent and professional whilst showing heart by still demonstrating emotion. Hunter (as quoted in Jacob and Lavender, 2008, p. 78), says that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦expressing emotion and sharing feelings with others is immensely valuable, both for enhancing relationships and also for developing a type of practice that is open-hearted and genuine. This relationship is extremely valuable with pregnancy outcomes which may involve unexpected miscarriage, where supporting women and their families can be difficult. The Hands The hands in the art of midwifery looks at the benefit of therapeutic touch. Therapeutic touch can reassure the woman of her safety with the knowledge that her midwife is confident in her actions and sensitive to her needs. When situations do not allow words, the hands can convey reassurance and express confidence, compassion and care (Ernst, 2009). Touch can be used in many forms including close contact for physical support, helping the women to maintain her posture or just being there as a shoulder to lean on. Touch can provoke different responses by different women. While massage can be good for relieving pain for some, others find a simple light touch to the forehead is all thats needed to reassure a woman she is not alone and that the midwife is there for her (Page McCandish, 2007). Another important hands on skill for the Midwife is the ability to use palpitation and touch examination of the mothers abdomen to assess and determine the babys growth, position, size and wellbeing (Grigg, C. 2006). Other skills utilizing the hands can include, teaching breastfeeding, blood pressure measurement, supporting the women through labour and birth, baby assessments and supporting the newborn infant and the use of interventions such as epidurals. The (Australian Nursing and Midwifery council [ANMC], Code of Professional Conduct for Midwives in Australia, 2006) describes many other midwifery skills not only relating to the care of the woman but also her family and the community. It is the duty of the midwife to provide antenatal and parenthood education. The midwife is committed to working with the women, providing support and advice during her pregnancy/birth and through the postpartum period. The midwives responsibilities also extend to preventative care, detections of complications, promotion of normal birth and accessing the need for medical intervention and the carrying out of emergency procedures should an emergency occur. Creating a positive atmosphere and environment for the birth is an important factor for many women. Most women have their babies in the unfamiliar and unwelcoming environment of the hospital, a positive attitude assists in reducing anxiety and stress, allays fears and allows the woman to feel secure in her surroundings. Page McCandish (2007) suggest that simply by making more space and moving furniture in the room offers the woman more area to move and by providing different props such as benches, pillows, and cushions give the women more choices so as for example she can lean or rock when experiencing the intense pain of contractions. The skills of the midwife are many and varied and the hands are vital in conveying messages to the woman. The Mind As the Australian College of Midwives, ACM Philosophy for Midwifery (2004) states midwifery is informed by scientific evidence, by intuition and by experiences. This involves the midwife using knowledge gained from research evidence, individual values and preferences, seeking out evidence to support decisions and discussions with the woman to decide on her individual birthing plan. Page McCandish, (2007) describe evidence based clinical practice as the judicious use of the best evidence available, so that the clinician and the patient arrive at the best decision, taking into account the needs and values of the individual patient.(p.205) Birth is a normal life event and not a disease process thus making health promotion the basis for midwifery care. Health promotion and education involves more than the provision of information to woman in antenatal classes lead by a midwife, where the midwife discusses topics the professional deems relevant. Education needs to move to a more client-led agenda (Beldon Crozier, 2005). When working with women it is important to always focus on women centred language and effective communication. Thinking and imagining how the woman is feeling assists in providing comfort and reassurance to the woman. Giving women information about the progress of the labour in positive terms that the woman will understand is most valuable. Knowing when to be quiet is also important. The midwife has to be mindful of her own facial expressions as these can have a huge impact on the womans feelings, a smile conveys reassurance that everything is ok and going well (Page McCandish, 2007). The midwifes mind needs to be aware of the changes occurring in maternity care and know that the traditional medical model that once served the doctors and the hospital, is antiquated. As we move towards emerging midwifery models of care which favour continuity of mother and baby care by the same midwife throughout the womens pregnancy, birth and beyond (Barlow, 2008). A midwifes autonomy is increasing in maternity care. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, Code of Ethics for Midwives in Australia (2005) also states midwifery care includes the promotion of normal birth, prevention and detection of complications in the mother and baby, medical care access and the carrying out of emergency measures as important responsibilities of the midwife. Conclusion The heart, hands and the mind all play important roles in the midwifery model of care. Each area can be difficult to explain as separate components of midwifery as the three areas are intertwined and each just as valuable as the other in providing women with women centred care throughout the life changing experience of childbirth. It is evident from research into the art and science of midwifery that midwives are essential in providing care to the childbearing women that supports and guides women through healthy pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period. Midwifery care involves the promotion of normal birth, prevention and detection of complications in the mother and baby, medical care access and the carrying out of emergency measures. Our role is to work in partnerships with women and their families by helping them to explore their options and make informed decisions. WORD COUNT: 1440 words with in-text referencing.

Studying Retailing and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona

The many experiences I have had during my university education have come to represent a period of metamorphosis for me, in which I underwent tremendous personal growth and development.   I truly discovered my personal identity and ultimately discovered my passion, desiring that my future be in the exciting field of Retailing and Consumer Sciences.I originally dreamed of being a Korean diplomat, and this is the reason I have pursued Political Science and International Relations in my undergraduate education.   This goal changed dramatically in 2005, when I assisted a friend with a project he was working on in Business Administration.I found this to be an exciting experience and it soon became apparent that the field of business marketing was an ideal match for me.   An innate understanding of the subject seemed to come naturally, therefore I took similar courses, excelled in these classes, and exhibited the strongest performance in the subject.  As I studied further, I discove red how I could become empowered with the practical knowledge I would need to become an effective agent of positive change in my community by using my innate abilities combined with what I had learned in class.   I even made a trip to a traditional Korean market called â€Å"Ma-po† to understand how consumer science and retailing work in the practical world.Nevertheless, my academic inclinations were not the only factors in my decision to apply to the Master’s of Science Program in Retailing and Consumer Sciences.My decision was also influenced by other non-academic sources including various extra-curricular and volunteer activities. For instance, I was a member of Sookmyung Communicator: Blue Letter, a student newsletter for which I wrote and edited releveant articles for consumers, faculty, and students during my undergraduate work.Another example of a non-academic experience that led me to make a decision to pursue marketing was my role of Chairperson of the Korea n Language Club at Miyazaki International College.   In this role, I learned to communicate effectively with others and important problem solving skills that will be necessary to excel in the field of marketing.Therefore, each of my educational and life experiences has played a factor in my decision to study Retailing and Consumer Sciences. Although it is not a perfect science, marketing strategies can be applied to help businesses, large and small, with innovative and fascinating ways to market items and understand consumer patterns with an analysis of economic growth or recession and finding ways to enhance or solve these issues.With my Master’s Degree in Retailing and Consumer Sciences, I hope to work for an organization that is committed to a sense of community, while also using effective marketing tools for success.   I believe I would excel in this field and would find this type of work fascinating because I possess a strong passion for business and marketing issues , therefore this work would reflect my academic, societal, and community interests.  I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to work in marketing because it is so very dynamic and increasingly relevant in our modern industrialized society.I decided to apply specifically to the University of Arizona to attend the program in Retailing and Consumer Sciences because I believe that the school is clearly a leader in business and marketing, and has a tremendous impact on the community.  The faculty appears to be truly tremendous, takes pride in this specialization, and is committed to a modern curriculum and ongoing growth in the program.   I am confident that continuing my studies at the University of Arizona will equip me with the knowledge and skills I need in order to realize my goals of becoming a successful businessperson.Furthermore, after completing the Master’s Program, I plan to continue my studies of Marketing and obtain a Ph.D. in the field. Eventually I will u se my education by pursuing a career as a college professor or a professional researcher.The collection of experiences I have gathered while obtaining my education and through personal volunteering, have transformed me and brought me to the place I am today.   I am an intellectually curious and ambitious individual committed to a lifelong process of learning and continuous service to my community.Studying Retailing and Consumer Sciences at the University of Arizona would not only be a natural progression of my interests and abilities, but also allow me to exercise what is now my commitment to lifelong learning.   

Learn Facts About the Geography of U.S. State of Iowa

Population: 3,007,856 (2009 estimate)Capital: Des MoinesBordering States: Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, WisconsinLand Area: 56,272 square miles (145,743 sq km)Highest Point: Hawkeye Point at 1,670 feet (509 m)Lowest Point: Mississippi River at 480 feet (146 m) Iowa is a state located in the Midwest of the United States. It became a part of the U.S. as the 29th state to be admitted into the Union on December 28, 1846. Today Iowa is known for its economy based on agriculture as well as food processing, manufacturing, green energy and biotechnology. Iowa is also considered one of the safest places to live in the U.S. Ten Geographic Facts to Know About Iowa 1) The area of present-day Iowa has been inhabited as long as 13,000 years ago when hunters and gatherers moved into the region. During more recent times, various Native American tribes developed complex economic and social systems. Some of these tribes include the Illiniwek, Omaha and Sauk. 2) Iowa was first explored by Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet in 1673 when they were exploring the Mississippi River. During their exploration, Iowa was claimed by France and it remained a French territory until 1763. At that time, France transferred control of Iowa to Spain. In the 1800s, France and Spain built various settlements along the Missouri River but in 1803, Iowa came under U.S. control with the Louisiana Purchase. 3) Following the Louisiana Purchase, the U.S. had a hard time controlling the Iowa region and built several forts throughout the area after conflicts like the War of 1812. American settlers then began moving to Iowa in 1833, and on July 4, 1838, the Territory of Iowa was established. Eight years later on December 28,1846, Iowa became the 29th U.S. state. 4) Throughout the rest of the 1800s and into the 1900s, Iowa became an agricultural state after the expansion of railroads across the U.S. After World War II and the Great Depression however, Iowas economy began to suffer and in the 1980s the Farm Crisis caused a recession in the state. As a result, Iowa today has a diversified economy. 5) Today, most of Iowas three million residents live in the states urban areas. Des Moines is the capital and largest city in Iowa, followed by Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Iowa City and Waterloo. 6) Iowa is divided into 99 counties but has 100 county seats because Lee County currently has two: Fort Madison and Keokuk. Lee County has two county seats because there were disagreements between the two about which would be the county seat after Keokuk was established in 1847. These disagreements led to the formation of a second court-designated county seat. 7) Iowa is bordered by six different U.S. states, the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers on the west. Most of the states topography consists of rolling hills and due to prior glaciations in some portions of the state, there are some steep hills and valleys. Iowa also has many large natural lakes. The largest of these are Spirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake and East Okoboji Lake. 8) Iowas climate is considered humid continental and as such it has cold winters with snowfall and hot and humid summers. The average July temperature for Des Moines is 86ËšF (30ËšC) and the average January low is 12ËšF (-11ËšC). The state is also known for severe weather during the spring and thunderstorms and tornadoes are not uncommon. 9) Iowa has a number of different large colleges and universities. The largest of these are Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa. 10) Iowa has seven different sister states - some of these include Hebei Province, China, Taiwan, China, Stavropol Krai, Russia and Yucatan, Mexico. To learn more about Iowa, visit the states official website. References Infoplease.com. (n.d.). Iowa: History, Geography, Population and State Facts- Infoplease.com. Retrieved from: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108213.html Wikipedia.com. (23 July 2010). Iowa - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa

A.D. (or AD) - How Christianity Underlies our Calendars

AD (or A.D.) is an abbreviation for the Latin expression Anno Domini, which translates to the Year of Our Lord, and equivalent to C.E. (the Common Era). Anno Domini refers to the years which followed the supposed birth year of the philosopher and founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ. For the purposes of proper grammar, the format is properly with the A.D. before the number of the year, so A.D. 2018 means The Year of Our Lord 2018, although it is sometimes placed  before the year as well, paralleling the use of B.C. The choice of starting a calendar with the birth year of Christ was first suggested by a few Christian bishops including Clemens of Alexandria in C.E. 190 and Bishop Eusebius at Antioch, C.E. 314–325. These men labored to discover what year Christ would have been born by using available chronologies, astronomical calculations, and astrological speculation. Dionysius and Dating Christ In 525 C.E., the Scythian monk Dionysius Exiguus used the earlier computations, plus additional stories from religious elders, to form a timeline for Christs life. Dionysius is the one credited with the selection of the AD 1 birth date that we use today—although it turns out he was off by some four years. That wasnt really his purpose, but Dionysius called the years that occurred after Christs supposed birth The years of our Lord Jesus Christ or Anno Domini. Dionysiuss real purpose was trying to pin down the day of the year on which it would be proper for Christians to celebrate Easter. (see the article by Teres for a detailed description of Dionysius efforts). Nearly a thousand years later, the struggle to figure out when to celebrate Easter led to the reformation of the original Roman calendar called the Julian Calendar into the one most of the west uses today--the Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian Reform The Gregorian reform was established in October of 1582  when Pope Gregory XIII published his papal bull Inter Gravissimas. That bull noted that the existing Julian calendar in place since 46 B.C.E. had drifted 12 days off-course. The reason the Julian calendar had drifted so far is detailed in the article on B.C.: but briefly, calculating the exact number of days in a solar year was nearly impossible prior to modern technology, and Julius Caesars astrologists got it wrong by about 11 minutes a year. Eleven minutes isnt too bad for 46 B.C.E., but it was a twelve-day lag after 1,600 years. However, in reality, the main reasons for the Gregorian change to the Julian calendar were political and religious ones. Arguably, the highest holy day in the Christian calendar is Easter, the date of the ascension, when the Christ was said to have been  resurrected from the dead.  The Christian church felt that it had to have a separate celebration day for Easter  than the one originally used by the founding church fathers, at the start of the Jewish Passover.   The Political Heart of Reform The founders of the early Christian church were, of course, Jewish, and they celebrated Christs ascension on the 14th day of Nisan, the date of Passover in the Hebrew calendar, albeit adding a special significance to the traditional sacrifice to the Paschal lamb. But as Christianity gained non-Jewish adherents, some of the communities agitated for separating out Easter from Passover. In 325 C.E., the Council of Christian bishops at Nicea set the annual date of Easter to fluctuate, to fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or next after the first day of spring (vernal equinox). That was intentionally complex  because to avoid ever falling on the Jewish Sabbath, Easters date had to be based on the human week (Sunday), the lunar cycle (full moon) and the solar cycle (vernal equinox). The lunar cycle used by the Nicean council was the Metonic cycle, established in the 5th century B.C.E., that showed that new moons appear on the same calendar dates every 19 years. By the sixth century, the ecclesiastical calendar of the Roman church followed that Nicean rule, and indeed, it is still the way the church determines Easter each year. But that meant that the Julian calendar, which had no reference to lunar motions, had to be revised. Reform and Resistance To correct the Julian calendars date slippage, Gregorys astronomers said they had to deduct 11 days out of the year. People were told they were to go to sleep on the day they called September 4th and when they woke up the next day, they should call it September 15th. People did object, of course, but this was only one of numerous controversies slowing acceptance of the Gregorian reform. Competing astronomers argued over the details; almanac publishers took years to adapt—the first was in Dublin 1587. In Dublin, people debated what to do about contracts and leases (do I have to pay for the full month of September?). Many people rejected the papal bull out of hand—Henry VIIIs revolutionary  English reformation had taken place only fifty years earlier. See Prescott for an amusing paper on the problems this momentous change caused everyday people. The Gregorian calendar was better at counting time than the Julian, but most of Europe held off accepting the Gregorian reforms until 1752. For better or worse, the Gregorian calendar with its embedded Christian timeline and mythology is (essentially) what is used in the western world today. Other Common Calendar Designations Islamic: A.H. or AH, meaning Anno Hegirae or in the year of the HijraHebrew: AM or A.M., meaning Year After CreationWestern: BCE or B.C.E., meaning Before the Common EraWestern: CE or C.E., meaning the Common EraChristian-Based Western: BC or B.C., meaning Before ChristScientific: AA or A.A., meaning the Atomic AgeScientific: RCYBP, meaning Radiocarbon Years Before the PresentScientific: BP or B.P., meaning Before the PresentScientific: cal BP, meaning Calibrated Years Before the Present or Calendar Years Before the Present Sources Macey SL. 1990. The Concept of Time in Ancient Rome. International Social Science Review 65(2):72-79.Peters JD. 2009. Calendar, clock, tower. MIT6 Stone and Papyrus: Storage and Transmission. Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.Prescott AL. 2006. Refusing Translation: The Gregorian Calendar and Early Modern English Writers. The Yearbook of English Studies 36(1):1-11.Taylor T. 2008. Prehistory vs. Archaeology: Terms of Engagement. Journal of World Prehistory 21:1–18.Teres G. 1984. Time computations and Dionysius Exiguus. Journal for the History of Astronomy 15(3):177-188.