All about the role of ... Maternity nurse

Second and subsequent births present additional demands. Employing the services of a maternity nurse helps to make the transition into parenthood much smoother and has a positive impact on the way that mothers feel.

Maternity nurses (MN), also known as post-natal carers, newborn care specialists or maternity practitioners, are non-medical specialists who work within the field of newborn baby care and the care of post-partum mothers. An MN helps the mother from the time she leaves hospital until both mother and baby are settled into a routine at home - a period of around four to eight weeks. Depending on the agreed contract, working hours are 24 hours a day (with negotiable rest periods), five or six days a week. Some work days only or nights only.

The MN's role is to guide and reassure both parents. She settles the mother at home, building her confidence in handling the newborn and integrating the baby into the family circle. Some MNs specialise in multiple births and occasionally the role involves coping with distressed parents, depressed mothers, sick babies and, rarely, the death of a baby.

The MN will establish a routine for the baby, support the mother with breastfeeding or using formula, ensure she gets a good night's sleep by feeding the baby at night or taking baby to the mother for night feeds, change and settle the baby after feeds, monitor the baby's weight gain, growth and sleeping patterns, and advise on safety, hygiene, use of equipment and the products available.

The Maternity Nurse Association provides professionals and employers with information, guidance, advice and support.

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

Some MNs were formerly paediatric nurses or midwives while others have a background in early years care and education. All intending MNs should have at least three years experience of working with babies and in particular newborns and their mothers. Accredited specialist training is provided by two UK organisations - Newborn Education Services and Training (NEST) and MNT Training.

NEST runs a post-natal care/non-medical maternity nursing course that is accredited by the Open College Network (OCN). The course is held over two days at venues in central London and Cheltenham and additionally has six weeks research and home study. It carries 12 credits and a Level 3 accreditation. The cost is £460 and includes the course manual, stationery, refreshments, ongoing tutorials, advice and support, visiting lecturers and accreditation fees.

MNT Training offers a Level 3 OCN Maternity Practitioner Award which carries nine credits. It is delivered over three days at the University of Reading and costs £550 including VAT and assessment fees.

There are many similarities and some differences in the stated content of these courses. The main areas covered are: health and care of newborns, colic and reflux, sudden infant death syndrome, sleep in newborns, routines, health and care of post-natal mothers, breastfeeding, portfolio management, assertiveness, selfemployment, contracts, professionalism, interviews, CVs and finding employment.

NEST offers a stand-alone post-natal depression course at Level 4 with ten credits and other oneand two-day accredited courses which are available online. It also runs a scheme for those wanting to build a strong enough CV for agencies to take them on board by helping them to gain experience with mothers who can't afford to pay.

MNT Training offers the following oneand two-day courses at the University of Reading which are OCN accredited: Level 3 Breastfeeding; Level 3 Post Natal Depression; Level 3 Sleep Training; and Level 3 Care of Multiples.

FURTHER INFORMATION

•  NEST www.newborneducation.co.uk Tel: 01452 780368

•  MNT Training www.mnttraining.co.uk Tel: 0844 8268 446

• THEMNA, 37 Herbert Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP13 7HL

CASE STUDY: VEE HOYLE

Vee Hoyle has worked as an MN for eight years, mainly in Australia and Europe. and gets most of her placements through agencies. Her contracts last from six to 12 weeks. She holds MNT awards - Maternity Practitioner, Care of Multiples and Sleep Training - and also has a Paediatric First Aid certificate.

She says, 'For me, the most rewarding thing about working as a maternity nurse is helping a mother to achieve something that she has been struggling with, for example, establishing a sleep routine. I also find it incredibly rewarding to see babies thrive and develop, knowing that I have contributed to this.

'One of my special interests is working with twins and I have enjoyed studying the theory and practice of working with them. I think there is something so special about watching twin siblings interact with each other and observing them grow and change together.

'Being self-employed, I find it a very good investment to have an accountant handle my tax affairs. He tells me just what he will require at the end of the year and I keep sound records to pass on to him.

'Some of the challenges about working as a maternity nurse are the sleep deprivation, social isolation and having to "fight" for your time off. I know that there are lots of maternity nurses who do this work as their sole employment. I tend to alternate it with being a nanny. For me, this is a compromise that allows me to do the work I love without completely removing myself from society.'