An International Midwifery Educator's Indian Experience

Hello, I am Ariadna, and I am from Spain. I have been living in London since 2000. My journey into midwifery education began with a passion for nursing. After moving to London for a master's programme, I met my husband and fulfilled my dream of becoming a midwife. For 17 years, I dedicated myself to the British National Health System (NHS), working in a tertiary London hospital where we cared for approximately 5,000 women and their babies each year, offering antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care both in the hospital and at home.

India: A New Adventure

In late September, I set foot in India as a volunteer for a month. This adventure was prompted by my decision to take a career break and seek a change of scenery. After many years as a midwife, I yearned to share my skills and knowledge with a different culture while absorbing their wisdom in return. Having worked as an educator alongside my clinical duties for four years, I would like to share new insights, diverse skills, and effective teaching techniques in maternity care. It felt like the right time to pass this knowledge on.

My Passion for Midwifery Education

As a midwife, mentoring students in their workplace has brought me great satisfaction. The prospect of sharing my skills and knowledge while caring for pregnant women during pregnancy, labour, and postnatal periods is incredibly fulfilling. I love midwifery, and guiding students through this journey is an important part of my role. This love for teaching prompted me to become a practising educator in London.

As for my life plans, I intend to continue working as a midwife, and after my experience with Fernandez Foundation, I am considering pursuing a course on global healthcare in London. With a young family, long-term personal and professional planning is challenging, but my time in India, in Hyderabad and Patiala, has shown me that I want to continue developing in this direction.

Challenges and Solutions

In the landscape of maternal care in India, I have encountered a set of critical challenges that require our attention and proactive efforts to address. One prominent challenge is the relatively nascent status of midwifery as a recognised role and concept within the Indian healthcare system. The lack of established practices and awareness around midwifery can hinder its seamless integration. To tackle this challenge, I believe it's of paramount importance to build bridges and foster positive relationships with obstetricians. Establishing trust and effective collaboration between midwives and obstetricians is essential to deliver a high standard of care to pregnant women and their babies. This synergy can help to dispel misconceptions and ensure that the expertise of midwives is valued and utilised. Furthermore, there's a critical need to educate women about the role of midwives. It's crucial for them to understand that midwives are equipped to provide safe and comprehensive care for low-risk pregnancies. Encouraging women to seek midwifery care when they become pregnant actively is an essential step in carving the path towards an elevated status for midwives in India. In my current role in Patiala, I engage in daily labour ward rounds with student midwives, junior doctors, and the medical officer. While I may not always comprehend every detail, my presence demonstrates respect for the medical officer's work and care for women. It's a vital aspect of maintaining open communication with obstetricians, showcasing our commitment to learning how to provide optimal care to women and identifying those who are ideal candidates for the Midwife-led unit. The key challenges we face in enhancing the role of midwives in India revolve around:

• awareness
• collaboration and
• education

By working diligently to overcome these obstacles and foster positive relationships, we can drive progress and promote the crucial contributions that midwives can make to maternal care in India.

The Future of Midwifery in India

Looking ahead, I envision India having a well-trained cadre of midwives who can offer the highest standards of care that we all aspire to provide. Given India's vast size, it may take time for government hospitals in every state to offer midwifery care. However, with dedication, perseverance, and time, we can achieve this goal. Fernandez Foundation in India is on the path to ensuring the availability of midwifery care for all women, and I am excited to be a part of this journey.