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Research Article|Articles in Press

Midwifery in Abu Dhabi: A descriptive survey of midwives

Published:February 21, 2023DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2023.02.002
Midwifery in Abu Dhabi: A descriptive survey of midwives
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      Abstract

      Background

      Midwives of international standards may save lives on a scale unmatched by any other intervention. There are limited trained midwives in Abu Dhabi. Midwifery may be eroded or diminished if there is attrition and/ or no succession of trained midwives (Bharj et al., 2016). Therefore, high quality midwifery education is needed.

      Aim

      This study aimed to describe midwifery in Abu Dhabi to inform the development of a new midwifery education degree program.

      Methods

      In 2022, midwives working in Abu Dhabi were invited to an anonymous online questionnaire. Data collected included characteristics such as age, qualification, duration of practice, practice setting, and skills used. Excel was used to perform descriptive statistics.

      Findings

      Seventeen midwives participated (N = 17). The majority (58.8%, n = 10) work in Labour Ward, four midwives rotated to antenatal, labour, and postnatal areas (23.5%, n = 4). Midwives came from many countries, but there were no midwives of Emirati nationality. Seventy per cent held Undergraduate (70.5%, n = 12) and almost a third held Postgraduate (29.5%, n = 5) midwifery degrees. Skills commonly used included parentcraft (47.0%, n = 8), promoting physiologic labour and birth encouraging freedom of movement (93.8%, n = 15), facilitating safe spontaneous vaginal births (88.2%, n = 15), perineal and vaginal suturing (68.8%, n = 11) and immediate care of the newborn (100.0%, n = 17). Midwives less commonly led antenatal assessments (37.5%, n = 6) and worked in postnatal areas (31.3%, n = 4).

      Conclusion

      Understanding midwives' characteristics, where they work, and skills used may inform Midwifery education. Having more midwives will strengthen midwifery and increase women’s choice for respectful, safe maternity care.

      Keywords

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      Article info

      Publication history

      Published online: February 21, 2023
      Accepted: February 5, 2023
      Received in revised form: January 26, 2023
      Received: August 31, 2022

      Publication stage

      In Press Corrected Proof

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2023.02.002

      Copyright

      © 2023 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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