A passion to help new mothers and a desire to improve Aboriginal health has resulted in Margaret Martin of High Wycombe becoming the first Indigenous student to graduate with a midwifery degree from Curtin University.<\/p>\n
Ms Martin, 27, who was born and raised in Derby, joins only the second group of students to graduate from Curtin\u2019s Bachelor of Science (Midwifery), which is WA\u2019s only direct-entry midwifery degree.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, becoming a midwife is a calling, not just a career,\u201d Ms Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to focus on pregnancy care for Aboriginal women, and help to make their birthing experiences as positive as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Breaking new ground is something of a family trait, as Ms Martin\u2019s mother is Labor MP, Carol Martin, who was the first Indigenous woman to be voted into an Australian parliament.<\/p>\n
\u201cMum has always said to me that anything is possible, if you set your mind to it,\u201d Ms Martin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of my biggest challenges was juggling university with my family of four small children, with the youngest born during my studies. But I was determined to finish.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have met some amazing new mothers during my course, and feel very privileged to have shared their birthing experiences, which is a moment that will stay in their memories forever.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe feeling I get after helping a woman give birth to her baby is just so amazing, it is like watching a miracle take place. The first breath, the first time the mother looks down at her newborn and smiles, it is so beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n
The three-year full-time Bachelor of Science (Midwifery) degree requires students to birth at least 40 babies and complete at least 1,500 hours of clinical practice. The students also experience a variety of clinical placements such as community, clinics, hospitals, birthing centres and in the mother\u2019s home to ensure they are job-ready by the time they graduate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been lucky to secure a position as a midwife at Armadale Hospital and I am really looking forward to gaining more work experience,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Keen to improve the healthcare experiences of Aboriginal women, Ms Martin has also been invited to speak to a number of health, midwife and community groups and midwifery students to discuss the cultural aspects of childbearing for Aboriginal women.<\/p>\n
Jennifer Wood, Curtin University\u2019s Bachelor of Science (Midwifery) course coordinator said Ms Martin provided a greater insight into the challenges of being an Aboriginal woman in the current maternity system.<\/p>\n
\u201cMs Martin\u2019s first-hand knowledge of the current maternity system and her understanding of Aboriginal culture is very valuable to the other midwifery students,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Curtin\u2019s midwifery degree combines evidence-based theory and clinical practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents start their clinical experience in the first semester and attend clinical placements in a wide range of community and hospital settings, in both the metropolitan and rural areas,\u201d Ms Wood said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe midwife\u2019s work may be clinical, research or policy-based and can involve other aspects of women\u2019s health, sexual or reproductive health, lactation consultancy and childcare \u2013 those who have a highly developed knowledge base and clinical skills, are in demand both nationally and internationally.\u201d<\/p>\n
The course is designed to meet the national midwifery education standards, leading to initial registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).<\/p>\n
Ms Martin graduated on Tuesday 21 February 2012 at a ceremony held at Curtin\u2019s Bentley campus.<\/p>\n