A nurse-midwife committed to the value of general nursing education as a prerequisite to midwifery responds to Lois Muzio's article expressing the opposite point of view. (JOW)

Reviews prenatal and postnatal methods of gestational age estimation and evaluates implementation of this information in research. Recommendations concerning the assignment of gestational age in the perinatal period and the use of age correction for preterm infants are offered. (Author/BC)

Using journal writing to develop critical-reflection skills in students preparing to be midwives fosters the spirit of inquiry and the discovery of knowledge useful to practice. (SK)

Context: Pregnant women in rural areas may give birth in either rural or urban hospitals. Differences in outcomes between rural and urban hospitals may influence patient decision making. Purpose: Trends in rural and urban obstetric deliveries and neonatal and maternal mortality in California were compared to inform policy development and patient…

Background: The present study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a training course designed to improve the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of healthcare personnel to allow them to provide a comprehensive community-based antenatal care (ANC) program in rural Paraguay. Methods: Sixty-eight of 110 healthcare personnel in the Caazapa…

A study was conducted to measure the extent to which Finnish midwives accept the "mother myth," or the stereotypical beliefs of mothers who idealize motherhood. A set of 45 statements about motherhood was administered to 382 Finnish midwives who were given 30 minutes to read the statements and indicate the extent of their agreement on a…

The author compares and analyzes American and Taiwanese maternity care systems, discussing the history of midwifery in Taiwan; the process by which a midwife establishes her practice; and her role in childbirth, abortion, adoption, and other services. (Author/DS)

Responses from 45% of 696 British midwives and interviews with 17 indicated that they identify their continuing education needs most frequently through interaction with colleagues. Their greatest needs were for professional issues and management topics; there is a demand for part-time and distance learning. (SK)

Critical incident analysis, combining actual experiences with structured reflection, can facilitate learning from clinical practice and develop interpersonal skills and self-awareness. (SK)

Nursing education should play an important role in developing culturally sensitive health care. Nurses and midwives should be trained in assessing health needs of different cultural groups and developing appropriate care. (SK)

At the University of Dundee (Scotland), distance learning is used to provide inservice opportunities for nurses and midwives. The modular courses feature problem-based and work-based learning, text-based study guides, and strategies to provide continuous learner support. (SK)

Midwifery students collected data during clinical preceptorships. Faculty review of data sheets highlighted errors in process, data entry, and mission, identifying areas for further learning. The data also provided more information about clinical practice sites. (SK)

The Maternity Continuity Clinic, conducted by obstetrics faculty, helps students versed in basic physician skills to make an obstetrics-gynecology career choice. (IR)