Exploring changes in practice: When midwives and nurses become mothers

Abstract

The impact motherhood has on midwives and nurses should be understood by both those professionals within its own ranks and the greater UK health sector. These professions remain predominately female (89.3%) (NMC, 2007), and at some stage during their professional lives 90% become mothers, directly impacting on staffing levels and ultimately the care given to women and patients. The aim was to explore transition to motherhood for midwives and nurses, including their perceptions of its impact and implications on their professional lives. Twenty-two participants volunteered from the health professions of midwives and nurses (including health visitors) providing narratives through two sets of interviews. This article focuses on midwives' and nurses' knowledge levels and changes in professional practice resulting from their experiences of becoming a mother, childcare and treatment on return to work. Understanding these midwives' and nurses' unique perspectives may contribute to allaying the stress related to returning to work, and ensure these professionals are retained as the valuable practitioners they become as a direct result of motherhood.