Date of Graduation

12-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Nursing

Advisor/Mentor

Osborne, Cara

Committee Member/Reader

Franks, Lisa

Abstract

While the use of midwifery is proven to improve outcomes for low-risk mothers and infants, many healthcare providers, nurses, and patients in Northwest Arkansas continue to be skeptical about utilizing midwifery care. During my internship, I worked directly with labor and delivery nurses, physicians, and a midwife at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital and provided high-quality care to women during their birthing process. This hospital focuses entirely on women and infant care and provides gynecological, obstetric, and newborn services. Willow Creek Women’s Hospital is also one of the few hospitals in Arkansas to implement a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) and has two low-intervention birth suites. Through my internship, I learned how to assist during the labor and birthing process, how to implement pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions during labor, and how to approach each labor holistically and individually. My experiences during my internship have made me more comfortable communicating with healthcare staff and patients. It has also improved my understanding of the stigma that surrounds midwifery care compared to other traditional birthing practices in Northwest Arkansas. Lastly, my internship at Willow Creek Women’s Hospital set a solid foundation for my future in labor and delivery and midwifery.

Keywords

Nursing; Labor and Delivery; Midwifery; Maternal-Fetal Care

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