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Melissa Quinn Coyne, RM - Independent Midwife Who are we? Since qualifying, Melissa has worked in NHS hospitals and birth centres, but the majority of her work has been with women planning homebirths, as an independent midwife. During this time she has helped hundreds of families through pregnancy, birth and the first few weeks of parenthood. Her practice combines a strong, quiet belief in the divinity of human life, with a practical down-to earth understanding of the processes of childbirth. Though she loves independent practice, Melissa recognises that many women perceive it as inaccessible – yet these women still need continuity of care, and the caring, thorough approach of an independent midwife. So in January of 2008, she founded The Midwives Clinic – a way for women to enjoy the benefits of independent midwifery care while still making use of their local NHS service. Women can visit the Clinic at any point in their pregnancy and return with their babies for follow-on care. They may visit as often as they wish, so control of their care remains firmly in their hands. Member of: Registered with: What is a Midwife? A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational programme, duly recognised in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practise midwifery. The International Confederation of Midwives believes that a midwife offers care based on a philosophy, which influences the model of care. Here is the International Confederation of Midwives’ description of the midwifery model of care: As midwives we believe that: 1. Childbearing is a profound experience, which carries significant meaning to the woman, her family and the community. 2. Birth is a normal physiological process. 3. Midwives are the most appropriate care providers to attend women during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period. 4. Midwifery care empowers women to assume responsibility for their health and for the health of their families. 5. Midwifery care takes place in partnership with women and is personalised, continuous and non-authoritarian. 6. Midwifery care combines art and science. Midwifery care is holistic in nature, grounded in an understanding of the social, emotional, cultural, spiritual, psychological and physical experiences of women and based upon the best available evidence. 7. Midwives have confidence and trust in, and respect for women and their capabilities in childbirth. 8. The woman is the primary decision-maker in her care and she has the right to information that enhances her decision-making abilities. As a result: 1. Midwifery care promotes, protects and supports women’s reproductive rights and respects ethnic and cultural diversity. 2. Midwifery practice promotes and advocates for non-intervention in normal childbirth. 3. Midwifery practice builds women’s self confidence in handling childbirth. 4. Midwives use technology appropriately and effect referral in a timely manner when problems arise. 5. Midwives offer anticipatory and flexible care. 6. Midwives provide women with appropriate information and advice in a way that promotes participation and facilitates informed decision making. 7. Midwifery care maintains trust and mutual respect between the midwife and the woman. 8. Midwifery care actively promotes and protects women’s wellness and enhances the health status of the baby. Insurance The midwives at The Midwives Clinic offer antenatal care, postnatal care and antenatal education, all of which is covered by the Royal College of Nursing’s professional indemnity insurance. Since March 2002 there has been no professional indemnity insurance covering births, available worldwide for self-employed midwives. Consequently self-employed midwives do not carry this. The midwives at The Midwives Clinic do not offer birth care as part of the Clinic’s services. Those who are members of the Independent Midwives Association carry insurance for some legal costs. All UK independent midwives were recently notified that professional indemnity insurance may become a legal necessity for practice by 2009. We are deeply concerned that no provision has been made to provide indemnity insurance specific to births. This could effectively render birth-specific independent midwifery illegal, depriving women of choice in their maternity care. To learn more and find out how to support the campaign to save independent midwifery, visit here. Regulation and Training Midwifery is one of the most closely regulated professions in the UK. Every practicing midwife must be a graduate of a recognised midwifery training programme; today this training takes place 50% in universities and 50% in NHS teaching hospitals and community midwifery practices, and lasts 3 years in a full-time course. Midwives are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), whose remit is to protect the public while promoting high standards of care. UK midwives are trained and must work within the NMC’s standards for proficiency, and rules and standards for practice, all of which can be found on the NMC website. In addition, practicing midwives must have a named supervisor of midwives with whom they meet yearly to review their practice and identify training needs. Practicing midwives attend yearly updates in childbirth emergencies, adult and neonatal resuscitation and basic life support, and have their equipment checked on a yearly basis by their supervisor of midwives. |
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