Midwifery research delivers insight into student learning

Initially beginning her career as a registered nurse, Nicole was inspired to pivot and pursue a career in midwifery after a positive experience working with a midwife in Maitland.

Now, with 25 years experience’ in midwifery to her name, Nicole’s passion for the profession only continues to grow.

A self-proclaimed life-long learner, Nicole has always yearned to improve practices for mother and baby, leading her to investigate continuity of care, since only 15 per cent of maternity models of care in Australia are midwifery-based.

^{Nicole Hainsworth (far right) will graduate with her PhD focused on midwifery continuity of care.}

“Continuity of care is either provided by one midwife or a small group of midwives. They engage the woman and her family early in pregnancy, continuing to provide care throughout pregnancy, labour and birth and into the postnatal period - up to six weeks.

“It's about forming relationships and the research shows it improves outcomes for women and their babies, from stillbirth to preterm birth to interventions in labour.”

As a profession, Nicole says the most rewarding aspect is walking alongside women, supporting their choices and helping them to feel strong and empowered.

Passionate to help educate the next generation of midwives, Nicole has also been teaching at the University of Newcastle for 11 years.

Her PhD research specifically focused on ‘midwifery student experiences of undertaking the continuity of care experiences’. Nicole hopes her findings can support the implementation of an educational framework that is based on the learning outcomes achieved by midwifery students through continuity of care experiences.