MW7013 Foundation Skills For Midwifery Practice And Sharing The Women’s Experience Assignment 2026 | TCD

MW7013 Assignment 2026

Sharing a Woman’s Experience of Pregnancy, Labor and the Postpartum Period

Introduction

Some people say that pregnancy is a normal physiological process, but for many women, it is affected by past reproductive experiences, health difficulties, mental health issues, and societal factors. Modern midwifery is about caring for the whole woman, not just the medical parts of pregnancy and childbirth. This is because pregnancy and labor are not only medical events; they are also very personal experiences that are affected by feelings and the environment. Understanding women’s lives is vital for providing safe, caring, and evidence-based care.

This assignment looks at the prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal experiences of Bella (pseudonym) a 35-year-old woman who is pregnant for the third time and has had two miscarriages at 10 weeks of pregnancy. Bella and her husband had been living in Ireland for two years, and her extended relatives didn’t help her much. Her pregnancy was medically difficult. At first, she suffered hyperemesis gravidarum, then she had gestational diabetes and needed insulin starting at 16 weeks. At 31 weeks, she was checked for possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Bella was 29 weeks and 5 days pregnant when I first met her. I kept in touch with her through pregnancy checkups, the start of labor at 38 weeks and 1 day because of gestational diabetes that was controlled by insulin, the vaginal birth at 38 weeks and 3 days, and early postpartum follow-up.

This assignment looks closely at Bella’s experience and judges the midwife’s role in helping women who have lost a pregnancy, had medical problems, anxiety, or social isolation in the past. Modern literature will be used to improve conversation and thought.

Experience Prior to Birth

Bella’s history of pregnancy had a huge effect on her path through pregnancy. Pregnancy following a miscarriage is frequently associated with heightened anxiety, fear of recurrence, and difficulties in trusting the pregnancy (Côté-Arsenault & Donato, 2011). Bella’s worry escalated after her initial ultrasound at six weeks showed no heartbeat for the baby. She stated she was still afraid during the first trimester, even though viability was confirmed at 10 weeks.

In addition to emotional stress, Bella developed hyperemesis gravidarum. Hyperemesis gravidarum can lead to dehydration, weight loss, an electrolyte imbalance, and a diminished quality of life, distinguishing it from the typical nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy. Research indicates that pregnant women experiencing severe nausea and vomiting are more prone to depression and social withdrawal (McCarthy et al., 2014). Bella claimed she felt weak and mentally tired, which made it hard for her to work and put a burden on her money.

She was diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) at 16 weeks of pregnancy and began taking insulin three times a day. The World Health Organization (2016) indicates that having high blood sugar while pregnant can cause difficulties for both the mother and the baby, including as macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, and the need for a cesarean section. Bella took her insulin and checked her blood sugar, but she said she felt like a failure since her body “wasn’t strong enough.” This highlights how a mother’s self-esteem and sense of self can be damaged by medical diagnoses.

Meeting 1 – Antenatal visit at 29+5wks

Location-OPD Coombe

Duration – 45 Minutes

In attendance-Bella and Student Midwife

Bella was 29 weeks and 5 days pregnant when I first met her. She looked sad and distant in the outpatient department. She added that health concerns had kept her at home for most of the pregnancy, which meant she couldn’t work and lost money. Small et al. (2014) argue that moving to a new place could make pregnancy and labor more stressful, especially for women who don’t have a lot of family support. Bella was concerned and upset since she didn’t have any friends or family to help her, and she was worried about money and her health.

After listening to Bella for about 45 minutes, she was able to talk about worries she had never spoken out loud before. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (2020) argues that midwives have a duty to use therapeutic communication and active listening in their work. During that appointment, it seemed to help her anxiety to tell her that the fetus was healthy and to address her emotional pain.

Meeting 2- Antenatal visit at 34+2wks

Location-OPD Coombe

Duration – 1 hour

In attendance-Bella and Student Midwife

When we got back together on the 16th of December, she was 34 weeks and 2 days pregnant, and she was more scared than she had ever been before about going into labor and having a cesarean delivery. That was the first time she ever had such a high level of anxiety. According to Biaggi et al. (2016) There is a solid body of evidence that suggests that women who suffer anxiety during childbirth, particularly those who are carrying complex pregnancies, may be more inclined to seek the assistance of medical professionals. Especially for mothers who are having numerous children at the same time, this is correct. Bella’s legs and feet swelled up when she was 31 weeks pregnant, and physicians investigated to make sure she didn’t have DVT. The tests were negative, but the experience made her more apprehensive of issues.

After providing her with extensive information on the labor process and the different alternatives that are available for the management of pain, she seemed to have a decrease in the degree of doubt that she was experiencing.

Meeting 3 – Antenatal Period 37+3weeks

Location-Over the phone conversation

Duration – 1 hour

In attendance-Bella and Student Midwife

When Bella was 37 weeks and three days pregnant, she told me that her doctor had told her to induce labor at 38 weeks since she had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) that was controlled by insulin. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2020) says that pregnant women with gestational diabetes should think about having their delivery induced between 38 and 40 weeks to lower the risk of having a stillbirth or macrosomia. Even though the recommendation was based on good medical practice, it made Bella very upset. She interpreted induction as confirmation that her pregnancy was “high risk”.

During our phone conversation, she was crying and panicking. I provided step by step explanations of the induction process of getting her ready for labor, starting with giving her prostaglandin and ending with breaking their membranes (ARM). After that, I gave information on oxytocin induction and different options for pain medicine. Leap (2010) found that women who make decisions based on correct information are happier and less anxious. Bella stated she felt “a little calmer” after we talked, which shows how vital it is for us to talk to each other right away.

On January 12, 2026, when Bella was 38 weeks and 1 day old, she was admitted to the ward at St. Monica. Two milligrams of prostaglandin E2 were given with each dose, once in the morning and once at night. She was moved to the delivery suite next day 1700hrs because she was suitable for ARM (38+2 weeks). After ARM, an oxytocin infusion was given to speed up the labor process.

Labor and Birth Experience

The first thing Bella tried to do to deal with the contractions was use of Entonox. Inhaled pain relief that doesn’t include medicines works for a lot of women who are just starting to give birth. But when the contractions got stronger, she sought an epidural. Leap (2010) says that the woman-centered midwifery method should be honored when a mother chooses how to alleviate her discomfort. Bella said she felt better and more in control of her situation after getting the epidural.
Bohren et al. (2017) say that women who get continuous care during labor are more likely to have better delivery outcomes and be happier with their care. During the childbirth, Bella’s husband was there for her, giving her support and comfort. It looked like his engagement made her feel more confident and better able to handle the situation.

Bella gave birth to a healthy baby girl on January 14, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. (38 weeks and three days). Her birth weight was 3200 grams. She had a second-degree tear in her perineum, which healed over time. The third stage of labor went well. After Bella gave delivery, she shed tears of joy and happiness and thanked everyone who helped her to give birth. The fact that she moved from being scared before giving birth to being happy after giving birth showed how a person may change after giving birth.

Bella returned to her house on January 15th. Before she went back to her house, she was able to effectively begin breastfeeding. According to Victora et al. (2016), receiving assistance with breastfeeding at an earlier stage is associated with higher rates of continued breastfeeding as well as increased confidence in moms.

Meeting 4 – Postpartum Period

Location-Over the phone conversation

Duration – 1 hour

In attendance-Bella and Student Midwife

Ten days after giving birth, we called on the phone and she said that her perineal wound was healing well and very happy that she can do exclusive breastfeeding. Her voice sounded confident and cheerful. She expressed her gratitude to me and shared she felt fortunate to have my support throughout her pregnancy.

Women who are anxious about being pregnant are more likely to get postpartum depression (Biaggi et al., 2016). So, you need to keep an eye on how you feel. Bella remarked that her marriage made her happy and helped her. Strong partner support has been shown to reduce postpartum psychological distress (Small et al., 2014).

Reflection on Midwifery Practice

Bella’s journey reinforced that pregnancy complications carry emotional meaning beyond clinical parameters. As a Higher Diploma midwifery student, I recognized the importance of holistic assessment, which includes psychological and social wellbeing. Spending time listening to Bella during our first meeting allowed her to feel validated and respected.

This experience strengthened my understanding of continuity of care and therapeutic presence. While I did not provide full continuity, maintaining contact through antenatal and postnatal communication contributed to trust. Bella’s confidence during labor may have been influenced by antenatal education and reassurance provided earlier.

Furthermore, this case highlighted the importance of culturally sensitive care for migrant women. Being new to Ireland and financially impacted by pregnancy-related illness increased Bella’s vulnerability. Addressing social determinants of health is therefore integral to midwifery practice.

Conclusion

It highlights how hard it is for people with mental health issues, physical problems, and the loss of a prior pregnancy to get along with each other for a multitude of reasons, including moving to a new country. Bella’s situation is an excellent example of how hard it is for people to talk to each other. Bella’s circumstance shows how hard it is for people to get along with each other. She had a lot of varied symptoms while she was pregnant. These signals were not out of the ordinary. She had hyperemesis gravidarum, gestational diabetes that was controlled by insulin, worries about the health of her unborn child, and the need to induce labor during her pregnancy. At 38 years and three weeks old, she was able to give birth to her child vaginally and breastfeed her infant successfully. This was possible since her partner was present to talk to her in a nice way. She was able to do all of these things lately because of her lover. His presence during the whole procedure made it possible for her to reach both of these goals.

As a student midwife, I learnt how important it is to pay attention to women who are in labor, make them feel better, and provide them information that is clear and easy for them to understand. Offering women-centered, holistic midwifery care that takes into account the whole woman and focuses on her may help women grow strong and confident, and accomplish amazing results, even during tough pregnancies. This kind of caring is more for the woman than for the male. Bella’s experience demonstrates this to be true. This is something that is exhibited.