This is a summary of our first exhibition - the Midwifery Alphabet
Attitude - the attitude of the midwife significantly impacts upon maternity care. However the midwife also learns about the attitude of the foetus. Find out more about this in the physiology of labour.
Ante Natal Care - this is the care, education and support provided by a midwife during pregnancy. The Midwifery museum has a number of artefacts to illustrate antenatal care ranging from mono auricular stethoscopes to Co-Operation Cards and health in pregnancy notes
Abortion - many of our text books identify aspects of care, legal issues and consider psychological effects .
Adoption - consider the role of the midwife in supporting the adoption process.
Birthing Pool - a pool designed for use of water for comfort during labour and may also be used to support a waterbirth. A number of illustrations of birthing pools are available
Cephalic Presentation is used by midwives to describe the lowest part of the baby as it arrives or presents in the maternal pelvis. Cephalic refers to the babies head. The museum has a number of illustrations and anatomical models.
Delivery - used to describe the arrival of the baby! A controversial term . Women birth their babies and a midwife attends (care and support) in a professional capacity.
Episiotomy : Surgical instruments, CMB rules and Suture packs
Epidural - a form of pain relief used during labour in a hospital environment. The Epidural space is accessed by a Medical practitioner and a fine catheter inserted to enable the provision of local anaesthetic. Illustrations provide information of this form of pain relief in Labour.
Fetus - this is a term used to describe the unborn baby from end of embryo until birth. The exhibition uses anatomical models, pictures and video to explain the growth and development of the fetus.
Fully - as in the cervix is fully! when there is no cervix felt on vaginal examination. If there is no cervix felt it is said to be fully dilated and the woman is ready and birth may proceed. Another use of the word "fully" is in the expression "Mrs Brown is fully in room 4" this means that tea has been made and is ready for staff in room 4.
Golden Hour - what is this term? Find information about this in the labour section
Hands - a symbol of care: a source of infection: a learning tool. The museum uses hands to consider a number of aspects of midwifery culture.
Infection- midwives can reduce the infection rates in a number of ways - the museum considers hand washing and other behaviours used by midwives to reduce infection.
Jaundice - the museum holds an old 'tool' for identification of the severity of jaundice in the baby.
Konakion - what is this? where is it located in the museum? what do midwives use this for?
Labour: Liquor: Lochia
Midwife: what is the definition of a midwife? Is this a protected title? what is the difference between a midwife other healthcare providers? Find out more in the education section.
Neonate: The babies in the museum are well represented in terms of care, appearance and illustrations.
NQM Newly Qualified Midwife is usually used to describe a midwife who has recently passed a recognised midwifery programme and is in the first year of professional practice. This term became increasing popular when there was evidence that large numbers of midwives were struggling to cope with the transition from student to registered midwife. It requires UK maternity services to put in place support and development for all midwives that are new to a care environment.
Oxytocin- Can you bottle this?
Obstetrician - a beautiful Lladro statue of an Obstetrician illustrates the professional .
Pinard Stethoscope - wooden and plastic plastic examples. For many midwives the mono auricular stethoscope is the symbol of the midwife. It is also the logo for the Association of Radical Midwives.
Partogram: a variety of old and new partograms are catologued.
Palpation: how do midwives record this physical examination? what skills are necessary? find out more in the midwifery text books, visual diagrams and notes.
Placenta: hand made examples of this unique organ illustrate the functions of the placenta and anatomical structure.
Perineum - the museum illustrates 'guarding of the perineum" through the use of midwifery illustrations
Quality Care:
Quiet time - first used on postnatal wards to enable new mothers to rest ! see documents identifying post natal care
Registered Midwife: Badges, Certificates and Rule books provide the visitor with historical details of the Midwife
Regulation of Midwifery - the museum has a number of documents and artefacts that illustrate the control of midwives, and midwifery practice.
Receiving blanket - this American blanket is a visual reminder of the historical preoccupation of drying a baby asap after birth to prevent heat loss.
Skin to Skin: Stretch & Sweep:
Telemetry - use of technology in maternity services is not new. The museum has a number of artefacts which illustrate how technology has changed childbirth.
Umbilical Cord - ligation and cutting of the umbilical cord is explored using artefacts from 1950's and the evidence regarding delayed cord cutting.
Vaccination - vaccination schedules: vaccination information and Covid 19 are illustrated with a variety of artefacts.
Vulva - location, structure and function is considered with the use of anatomical illustrations.
Vagina - do not forget to visit the Vagina Museum in London!
Vernix - what is the significance of this? What could the museum possibly use to illustrate vernix? Maybe message the Museum to find out more?
Weight - the midwifery museum has examples of baby weighing equipment from 1950's onwards. Documents which identify weight gain during pregnancy and healthy weights of newborns
Waters - this term is used to refer to the Liquor which surrounds the baby in the uterus. The midwifery museum has many text books which provide historical information about the liquor.
Water birth - the midwifery museum does not have pool as yet! If you wish to donate one please get I touch!
XX XY ! chromosomes -
Yoga - what do midwives know about this in relation to maternity services?
Zzzzz's Sleep patterns vary during pregnancy and during parenthood. What information is available for mothers, midwives and care givers?
