I Just Want to be a Midwife

A national midwifery conference organised by Edge Hill University's Faculty of Health is to bring experts from across the UK together, to debate the latest issues in midwifery practice and training.

The conference, the second to be held at Edge Hill University's Ormskirk Campus, will take place on Friday 30th June. I Just Want to be a Midwife- for those who have lost their passion for midwifery will see experts discussing issues as diverse as transcendental birth to the recruitment and retention of midwives in the current NHS climate.

Jane Morgan is Edge Hill?s Head of Midwifery Education and Women?s Health. "The conference will examine the cultural shift in midwifery from the early 1970?s when medical intervention was the norm, to today?s training that focuses on the benefits of normal births and pregnancies and how this can be achieved in the context of current maternity services"

In the UK the around 22 % of births are carried out by caesarean section. The World Health Organisation states that this rate should be reduced to 10-15%, as it claims there are no additional health benefits associated with an increased number of caesarean sections.

"We will hear the perspectives of experienced midwives, student midwives and midwifery lecturers. From examining the reasons why people want to become midwives, to looking at how midwives can reconnect with women and with each other, the conference promises to provoke some lively debate, and more importantly provide an opportunity to share experiences." ends