Study Demonstrates Misunderstanding About the Role of Midwives in the UAE

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 05, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Midwifery is an old profession in the UAE that is being reestablished to try and promote the role of the midwife as an expert in normal birth. Midwifery staff from Corniche Hospital in Abu Dhabi conducted a study in 2013 that demonstrates that the role of the midwife is poorly understood in the UAE. Not only are midwives experts in normal birth, but they are involved in partnership with obstetric colleagues in almost every birth. Their role ought to be encouraged and further developed through the healthcare system.

Grace Edwards, Assistant Director of Nursing, Clinical Programme Manager, and Treasa Crowley, Midwife, both from the Corniche Hospital, will reveal the main findings from the study at the Midwifery Conference taking place at the Obs-Gyne Exhibition & Conference from 30 March-1 April 2014 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, UAE.

According to Ms Crowley, “The practice of midwifery across the UAE differs in every hospital. The development of the UAE Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in partnership with the DHA in Dubai and HAAD and SEHA in Abu Dhabi is working on standardising practice across the UAE. Dr Fatima Al Rifae, who is also speaking at the Midwifery Conference in March, will highlight the new scope of practice and code of conduct that has recently been published, as a benchmark for midwifery practice across the UAE.”

The role of the midwife is newly emerging in the UAE and, as such, midwives have less autonomy than midwives in the Western world. However, as the work of the NMC impacts strategically and the midwifery education programme expands, the role of the midwife should embed as the professional who is the expert in normal birth.

“The Corniche Hospital is sponsoring the only Midwifery Education Programme in the UAE and is working on developing a sustainable model of midwifery education for the future. We have successfully graduated two cohorts of new midwives, including the first ever locally-educated Emirati midwives,” highlighted Ms Edwards.

Women whose pregnancies are complicated still need the advice and support of midwives, in addition to the specialists, to help them achieve as normal at birth as is possible. Midwives can also offer public health advice around nutrition, breastfeeding and postnatal issues.

“Postnatal care is not well established in the UAE, but Corniche Hospital offers support through a lactation clinic which encourages women to return to the hospital for practical support and advice from highly skilled nurses and midwives. This is a successful model that is being developed by many other hospitals in the UAE,” says Ms Edwards.

Organised by Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions, the Obs-Gyne Exhibition & Congress will witness the largest gathering of obstetricians and gynaecologists in the Middle East. The endeavour aims to keep women’s health professionals, both in the UAE and the region, updated on the latest technologies and medical advancements in the field. The exhibition will showcase more than 54 exhibiting companies from 20 countries including industry giants such Roche, American Hospital Dubai, and Bayer Healthcare.