Laura Gibbs Reflective Cycle

When Sarah was out of the bed and standing her whole attitude changed, she was more comfortable and relaxed. Sarah went on to give birth on her hands and knees, there were no complications and the perineum was intact. The student felt that through the use of different positions, listening and observing, she had empowered Sarah to have a normal birth. The two specific topics the author will analyse are positions in labour and the role the midwife plays in facilitating choice.

Within this assignment I will utilise the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards of Proficiency (NMC 2004a) for entry to the register to critically reflect upon my portfolio of evidence in order to demonstrate that I am fit to practice. In doing this I will discuss the terms ‘proficiency’ and ‘reflection’. I will identify the model of reflection I am going to use within this assignment and will give a rationale for this choice. For each domain I will provide a critically analysed reflection, using evidence taken from my portfolio. For each domain I will demonstrate what learning has taken place, identifying a learning outcome and action plan from each reflection.

Using Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Competency standard thirteen (National Midwifery Board of Australia, 2006), this essay will provide a thorough discussion and critical analysis of the reflective process, known as Gibbs reflective cycle (Bulman & Shutz, 2008) and how this reflective process in conjunction with competency standard thirteen, will be utilised to enable the author to fulfil their professional and personal goals in becoming a midwife. Personal limitations and strengths of the author as a first year Bachelor of nursing science-Bachelor of midwifery student, will be identified and linked to goals the author has formulated in order to achieve personal and professional development within practice. This will also include strategies that the author is going to incorporate into their practice in order to address development of these goals, inclusive of a time frame for the achievement of these goals. Lastly, this essay will also include how the author will evaluate achievement of these goals.

Introduction In the health sciences field, Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle encourages reflective thinking and practice. This means that students and practioners are able to explore an experience they have encountered before, reflect on what had happened and what their role was in the outcome. This process allows health practioners to identify what contributed to the final outcome and allow them to visualize what changes could be made to alter their approach in similar situations that they may face in the future. If reflective practice is performed comprehensively and honestly, it will lead to improved performance (La Trobe University, 2017).

For any mother the birth of a newborn child can be a challenging experience. As nurses it is part of our job to ensure their experience is positive. We can help do this by providing the information they will need to affective care for their newborn. This information includes topics such as, breastfeeding, jaundice, when to call your doctor and even how to put your baby to sleep. When the parents have an understanding of these topics before discharge it can largely reduce their natural anxiety accompanied with the transition to parenthood. Health teaching for new parents is seen as such an important aspect of care on post-partum floors it is actually a necessary component that needs to be covered before the hospital can discharge the

Within Victoria there are multiple models of maternity care available to women. An initial discussion with the woman’s treating GP during the early stages of her pregnancy is critical in her decision-making about which model of care she will choose and this key discussion is essential in allowing a woman to make the first of many informed decisions throughout her pregnancy. According to a survey conducted by Stevens et al. (2010) only 43% of women felt ‘they were not supported to maintain up-to-date knowledge on models of care, and most reported that model of care referrals were influenced by whether women had private health insurance coverage.’ Many elements of these models of care differ: from location of care, degree of caregiver continuity, rates of intervention and maternal and infant health, outcomes access to medical procedure, and philosophical orientation such as natural or medical (Stevens, Thompson, Kruske, Watson, & Miller, 2014). According to the World Health Organization (1985) and Commonwealth of Australia (2008) there is a recognition that ‘85% of pregnant women are capable of giving birth safely with minimal intervention with the remaining 15% at potential risk of medical complications’ (McIntyre & Francis, 2012).

For hundred of years, women have wrestled with their womanhood, bodies, and what it means to be a woman in our society. Being a woman comes with a wonderful and empowering responsibility--giving birth. What sets us aside from other countries is that the process and expectations of giving birth has changed in our society; coming from midwifery, as it has always been since the early times, to hospitals where it is now expected to give birth at. Midwifery was a common practice in delivering babies in

The following assignment will be written in first person as it is reflective in nature. Bulman and Schutz (2004) agree that to learn from an experience practitioners should go beyond description and reflect on that experience. The aim of this piece is to reflect on my role as a mentor and demonstrate my awareness of the responsibilities involved, whilst paying particular attention to the required learning outcomes 2-5 of the module. In keeping with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2008) Code of Conduct anonymity will be adhered to and therefore no names of people or places will be mention.

Dawn Kingston (assistant professor of Faculty of Nursing) studied a s survey done by ‘6,400’ mothers and how their experiences before they got pregnant, during pregnancy, and after delivery. With her research she offered first time views

Reflection can be defined as “a process of reviewing an experience of practice in order to describe, analyse and evaluate and so inform learning from practice.”(Reid, 1993) It is an important factor when working within any health profession and midwifery is certainly no exception. Schon (1991) defines a reflective practitioner as “someone who learns by reflecting on current experience and applies that learning to future practice.” Reflection allows midwives to grow and develop professionally as well as personally (Kirkham, 1994) and can guide her into moulding her sphere practice in a positive way to benefit the women she is caring for (Church & Raynor, 2000). It also allows midwives to continue with lifelong learning and put theory to

The overall objective of this essay is to choose an event and reflect on the dignity of the patient and how dignity was maintained throughout the event. According to Kozier, Harvey and Morgan-Samuel (2011) dignity is treating an individual with respect, worth and value. The event I have chosen involves a patient who we found unconscious and had a ‘Do not attempt resuscitation’ (DNAR) order in place so therefore, died. To reflect on my chosen event, I will be using Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1998), I have chosen this cycle due to using this reflective cycle successfully in the past when working in a care home to thoroughly reflect on my experiences. Reflection is important in healthcare because it helps us to learn from our past experiences

The aim of this research assignment is to demonstrate the ability to critically appraise two pieces of research evidence which relates to midwifery and use the evidence to make recommendations for change to improve the quality of care.

This essay will first describe partnership and how a midwife working in the continuity of care model develops and maintains it. Secondly, this essay will describe what a postnatal abdominal palpation is, why it is done and what the outcomes may be. It will also describe the anatomy and physiology of a uterus and involution. Lastly, a description of how the assessment is conducted and how during this partnership and cultural safety is maintained by the midwife.

Using Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1988), I will reflect on the CPR experience during the Clinical Stimulation Lab (CSL). I will discuss the knowledge and skills I have gained, however indicate in my action plan what things I need to further develop.

Being a midwife refers to a profession where the midwife would work in partnership with the women throughout her pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period. Not only is being a midwife women-centred, however, their role also includes ensuring the partner and family members are prepared and aware of the process. Within a women’s health, the midwife should focus on health, family planning, nutrition, domestic and other health issues as the main priority is the