Journey through Journals: The Practising Midwife

As journals are regularly published they are an ideal source of current research and resources. While we subscribe to many online journals some days it is preferable to be able to sit and enjoy a physical journal. Today we’re here to explore The Practising Midwife, a monthly print journal available at Walsall Campus Library. The academic journal states its aim as “the translation of research into practice to drive maternity improvements”.

The Practising Midwife has clear graphics and bright images helping to mark it apart from the stereotypical idea of an academic journal. The 2024 issues are themed with a short catchy titles: Holistic Harmonies, Loving Lifelines, Timeless Testimonies and Centring Babies and each issue is comprised of:

• Article of the Month
• Essentials
• Advancing Practice
• Evidence series
• Voices
• Skills summary
• Spotlight
• Global Perspectives

This allows for a variety of content from the more research-focused Advancing Practice and Evidence Series, to building a knowledge base in practitioners through Essentials and Skills Summary, to the more discursive Voices and Global Perspectives. All of this demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the journal which seeks to bridge any gap between research and practice in the maternity profession.

In January, Practising Midwife covered the Essential’s of ‘Anatomy and Physiology of pregnancy: What’s in a maternal heartbeat' which focused on the scientific basis underlying the medical terminology midwives are dealing with. Moving into March, the Skills Summary  targeted Student Midwives and how they could support physical activity uptake in pregnancy. The Article of the Month was Paternal Perinatal Depression discussing the need for better resources for fathers as a way to improve the health and wellbeing of the whole family during pregnancy and the post-birth period.

The journal also makes an effort to support diversity and equality within the profession and among patients. May saw Black Baby Loss Awareness Week and the May issue of Practising Midwife dedicated time to the special week, and its Advancing Practice section focused on improving equity of care through a miscarriage support tool that was specifically designed to combat unjust inequalities of those experiencing miscarriage. The tool looked to empower women with self-advocacy tips and to ensure that their care was taken into greater consideration than it had in the past. Practicing Midwife also looks at the global picture, with the latest issue (available on the carousel at Walsall Campus Library) discussing global efforts to implement group Antenatal care and the potential global health impact.

Altogether a well-rounded journal dedicated to covering every and all aspects of maternity health care and a staple for all our midwifery students at University of Wolverhampton.

The Practising Midwife is available at the Walsall campus library, with the most recent issue of the journal will be available on the carousel on the ground floor and back issues are shelved upstairs on the second floor at PER 618.

Other journals with similar themes available online and through our various databases include:

• British Journal of Midwifery
• Nursing & Midwifery Research Journal
• Practising Nursing
• Nursing & Residential Care