Reflective practice is listed as one of the key domains that make up the National Competency Standards for the Midwife. It is through reflective processes that both students and

registered midwives can identify and explore diverse values, beliefs, learning needs and sociocultural structures. To facilitate your reflective skill development you are required to complete a

reflective piece of writing for each of the three (3) recruited 'continuity of care experience' women you are working with.

Overview of Reflective Journal Writing:

A reflective journal is a way of thinking in a critical and analytical way about your clinical experience. It involves looking at a situation, assessing what you have learnt from it, what you could have

done differently, realising new approaches to your care and ultimately, how you felt about the whole experience. As a student midwife it shows how different aspects of your work interconnect and

can be very useful for identifying gaps in knowledge and ethical dilemmas or situations that need further thought.

Understanding your feelings is a vital skill for reflective writing, and studying midwifery involves being exposed to a lot of new situations - doing your first antenatal booking; helping a woman with

breastfeeding support; witnessing a birth - which can bring new reactions to the surface. It's important to comprehend what you feel, why you feel that way and to then learn from it, as failing to

reflect can lead to poor insight and therefore poor performance in practice (Hays & Gay, 2011).

*Reflective writing is more personal than other kinds of academic writing and is an exploration of events not just a description of them.

Reflective Journal Requirements:

(Refer to the provided Reflective Journal Template and the Two Reflective Journal examples)

How to structure reflective writing

It can be useful to use a reflective model, or series of questions, which will help you look at the whole event from many different angles (Macdonald, 2011; Driscoll, 1994; Benner, 1984). The

Driscoll model has a very simple 'what', 'so what' and 'now what' model, which is easy to remember and write up. There are three common reflective writing models that you may choose to follow

when writing reflectively: Van Manen, Gibbs and Durgahee (Giminez, 2011). The models all involve thinking systematically about the phases of an activity, using headings including: description,

feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and action plan. These theoretical frameworks provide a starting point for the critical skills that all student midwives should develop by the end of their

educational program.

Example:

1. Description: (don't make this too long - refer to the provided template)

What is it? What happened? Why am I talking about it?

2. Interpretation: What is important and relevant? Look through your description and try to find words or phrases that require further exploration. Include the rationale for what was done or

why it was done. Where there is controversy about what was done or found, provide the rationale and sources of evidence for both sides of the argument. How can it be explored and explained

using contemporary theories.

3. Outcome: What have I learned from this? How will it influence my future work?

Above all, enjoy writing the journal - it is about you and your reflection and your development as a clinical midwife!

Task Description

3000 word (+ or - 10%) essay on the topic of :

'The Baby Friendly Health Initiative' and how continuity midwifery care supports and promotes the breastfeeding relationship.

· The Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) is a global strategy that was launched in 1991 by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure that all maternity units become centres of breastfeeding support. The aim is to implement practices that protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

· Continuity models of midwifery care provide women with a known midwife. Women who have the same midwife caring for them throughout pregnancy, birth and postnatal stages have the opportunity to develop trusting relationships resulting in increased confidence and healthy outcomes with multiple benefits.

Using a midwifery perspective you are required to:

Discuss the 'Baby Friendly Health Initiative' in particular the aims of the initiative, and its recommendations. Consider and discuss how the known ‘continuity of care’ midwife is best placed to support those aims whilst promoting and supporting the breastfeeding relationship.

Analyse the importance of breastfeeding and its benefits to the mother, baby and society in general. Consider and discuss the benefits of midwifery led continuity of care models on the support and promotion of breastfeeding.

MDWF 12003 Midwifery Practice One- Assessment Criteria Sheet – Assessment Two– Written Assessment

Student Name:

This assignment is worth 60% of the total assessment for this subject.

Minimal clinical practice experience of 224 hours is required by completion of this course. This clinical experience will allow you to consolidate knowledge and skills acquired throughout the term and enable you to draw distinction in your scope of practice between normal and complex midwifery care. You are required to meet the clinical requirements listed below and these requirements need to be documented within your Student Clinical Experience Record Book.

You are expected to work towards minimal clinical requirements and they include:

1. Recruit three (3) 'Continuity of Care' (CoC) experience women, with whom you will be expected to complete 10 to 20 hours with each woman, and add this to your reflective journals, that can be found on the Bachelor of Midwifery Meta page. Further instructions will be given to you during residential school.

2. Competency Performance Assessment

3. Complete 224 hours of clinical practice experience

The required clinical experience will be reviewed by the midwifery educator/manager in conjunction with the course coordinator.

See your clinical log book. Completion of 224 hours and the recruitment of 3 Continuity of Care women is required to meet this assessment.