Basic Midwifery Clinical Skills
1. Professional Standards
Professional - Client relationship
A good relationship between a professional and their client is of utmost importance. A midwife
must:
Treat – Safeguard the patients dignity.
Listen – Reacting appropriately.
Needs – Take care of physical, psychological and social skills by assessing and responding
appropriately to both the mother and her partner.
Best interest – Sometimes requires looking out for the patient (asking questions alone without
the mother’s partner especially when the partner seems to be controlling).
Respect – Privacy and confidentiality especially with certain disorders.
A midwife must never assume, for example, that the mother entered the hospital with a relative
or partner.
When interacting with the mother, the midwife must keep in mind to maintain the same level;
refraining from standing over her while she lays on her bed or treating her like a child.
Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
Active listening (reading body language) and empathy are important aspects in midwifery.
Understanding social cues during interaction allows us to better treat patients; Holistic care.
Holistic care requires adapting to the patients’ needs whether they’re physical (deafness),
mental and cultural.
Other important values include honesty, cooperation/sharing of knowledge (to ensure
patients get suitable care), knowing one’s limit and documentation.
, 2. Infection Control
An infection is caused by the entry of pathogens which cause harmful effects to the body.
Wash hands BEFORE and AFTER.
Swabs/tests should be taken for precaution especially in pregnant women:
✓ STI’s (Condoms are effective in regards to warts)
✓ Caesarean wound swab
✓ UTI’s (urinary pain/blood, fever)
✓ MSU (Mid-Stream Urine) Pee Test
Nosocomial infections are caused by lack of cleanliness and lack of attention. These
include:
✓ Urinary Tract Catheter
✓ Blood Stream
✓ Ventilator
✓ Surgical Site
Example: Catching an Infection from a restaurant (Food Poisoning)
Susceptible Host: Humans
Agent (Infection): Salmonella
Host Reservoir: Animal carrying the Infection (to be cooked)
Entry: Ingestion through the mouth
Transmission: Undercooking
Portal of Exit: Ingestion
MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a super bacterium commonly found
in hospitals due to its resistance to antibiotics (inflamed and filled with puss). Antibiotic
resistance is generated from taking too many antibiotics or the wrong kinds of antibiotics. When
taking antibiotics, it is important to finish the course prescribed even after symptoms have
improved to prevent infection relapse.
Standard precautions are set for the protection of everyone not just the mothers. One must act
as if everyone is infected, which is why the midwife must be careful when there is possible
contact with blood, skin, membranes and other body fluids.
1. Professional Standards
Professional - Client relationship
A good relationship between a professional and their client is of utmost importance. A midwife
must:
Treat – Safeguard the patients dignity.
Listen – Reacting appropriately.
Needs – Take care of physical, psychological and social skills by assessing and responding
appropriately to both the mother and her partner.
Best interest – Sometimes requires looking out for the patient (asking questions alone without
the mother’s partner especially when the partner seems to be controlling).
Respect – Privacy and confidentiality especially with certain disorders.
A midwife must never assume, for example, that the mother entered the hospital with a relative
or partner.
When interacting with the mother, the midwife must keep in mind to maintain the same level;
refraining from standing over her while she lays on her bed or treating her like a child.
Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
Active listening (reading body language) and empathy are important aspects in midwifery.
Understanding social cues during interaction allows us to better treat patients; Holistic care.
Holistic care requires adapting to the patients’ needs whether they’re physical (deafness),
mental and cultural.
Other important values include honesty, cooperation/sharing of knowledge (to ensure
patients get suitable care), knowing one’s limit and documentation.
, 2. Infection Control
An infection is caused by the entry of pathogens which cause harmful effects to the body.
Wash hands BEFORE and AFTER.
Swabs/tests should be taken for precaution especially in pregnant women:
✓ STI’s (Condoms are effective in regards to warts)
✓ Caesarean wound swab
✓ UTI’s (urinary pain/blood, fever)
✓ MSU (Mid-Stream Urine) Pee Test
Nosocomial infections are caused by lack of cleanliness and lack of attention. These
include:
✓ Urinary Tract Catheter
✓ Blood Stream
✓ Ventilator
✓ Surgical Site
Example: Catching an Infection from a restaurant (Food Poisoning)
Susceptible Host: Humans
Agent (Infection): Salmonella
Host Reservoir: Animal carrying the Infection (to be cooked)
Entry: Ingestion through the mouth
Transmission: Undercooking
Portal of Exit: Ingestion
MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a super bacterium commonly found
in hospitals due to its resistance to antibiotics (inflamed and filled with puss). Antibiotic
resistance is generated from taking too many antibiotics or the wrong kinds of antibiotics. When
taking antibiotics, it is important to finish the course prescribed even after symptoms have
improved to prevent infection relapse.
Standard precautions are set for the protection of everyone not just the mothers. One must act
as if everyone is infected, which is why the midwife must be careful when there is possible
contact with blood, skin, membranes and other body fluids.
