Vital research on show at conference
Professionals who provide care for mothers-to-be and the safe birth of newborns will meet in Darwin this week to discuss all things midwifery including vital research that is helping to improve the lives of Territorians.
The event will provide an opportunity for those in the profession to explore current research and perinatal trends in the Northern Territory and internationally.
Charles Darwin University Senior Lecturer and Course Coordinator in Midwifery Virginia Skinner said students and midwives would come together to showcase their own learning experiences, research and clinical practice.
“Some of the topics include birthing in Papua New Guinea, ethno-physiology and language of female fertility and reproduction in a remote NT Aboriginal community, diabetes in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and kidney research studies,” Dr Skinner said.
“These projects are just some of the vital midwifery research underway that could help improve the lives of Territorians.”
CDU PhD candidate and Menzies School of Health Research researcher Sarah Ireland will present preliminary research on Indigenous women’s ethno-physiology and language concerning female fertility and reproduction in one remote NT Aboriginal community. She will also present research on the experiences of some Indigenous women who choose to give birth in their communities, rather than travel to Darwin for a hospital birth.
“Despite health disadvantage and the known importance of culture, there is a lack of research dealing with how Indigenous women in Australia situate and talk about their sexuality and reproduction,” Ms Ireland said.
“It is important to better understand women’s perspectives so that we can improve health communication and enhance engagement of Aboriginal women in health care and screening.”
“I will also be presenting earlier research, looking at the experiences and outcomes for Aboriginal women who gave birth in one remote NT community. The findings from this research contribute to the debate surrounding the re-introduction of primary maternity services into select remote Aboriginal communities,” Ms Ireland said.
Dr Virginia Skinner said the event would also showcase current midwifery students’ experiences in the Bachelor of Midwifery course.
“The Emerging Face of Midwifery Education and Research Conference” will be held on Friday, November 28at the Mal Nairn Auditorium, CDU Casuarina campus. For more information visit W: cvent.com/events/the-midwifery-conference-2014/event-summary-c3d25b14c61d463b90858b61cc21d975.aspx