The virtual birthing unit project/Early labour/Midwife's self-assessment form

Use these questions to assess your performance, reflect on what you did well and what you can improve in the future

Guidelines to help you assess your performance

 * Facilitates Relationship
 * takes responsibility for negotiating an effective partnership
 * maintains comfortable rapport with the woman
 * establishes trust
 * is responsive to the needs expressed by the woman
 * maintains professional manner and presentation
 * Assesses
 * assesses woman’s own knowledge and experience
 * identifies woman’s needs and responds
 * recognises woman’s social, cultural and health context
 * Shares Information
 * displays an accurate knowledge base
 * provides quality evidence based information
 * appropriate options offered
 * communicates clearly and effectively
 * establishes woman’s understanding
 * Conclusion
 * brief summary of information provided
 * establishes availability for ongoing discussion/advice
 * documents discussions, assessments and actions

Specific guidelines to help you assess your actions

 * Assesses woman’s condition
 * general condition and how she is coping
 * history of contractions: when they started, how often they are, how long they last, how strong they are, can she talk through them?
 * has she had a show, what does it look like?
 * has she ruptured her membranes? what colour is the liquor?
 * is she managing to eat and drink?
 * is she passing urine and normal had bowel movements in the last 24 – 48 hours
 * how the baby has been moving in the last 24 hours
 * physical assessment including blood pressure, respiration, temperature, pulse
 * abdominal palpation to include assessment of contraction length, strength and frequency.
 * abdominal palpation to assess lie, presentation, position and decent of baby
 * vaginal assessment to include cervical dilatation, effacement, position, consistency and application. Presentation part, position, station and attitude. Presence of moulding, caput, liquor and cord.
 * assessment of baby's health to include monitoring baby's heart rate
 * what support does she need?
 * reviews history and background from woman’s notes, exclude risk factors
 * reviews careplan


 * Sharing information
 * possible need for vaginal examination
 * findings of all assessments
 * ongoing monitoring of health of mother and baby, as well as progress of labour
 * need for food and drink
 * how to stay comfortable and mobile
 * show mother around birth unit
 * things that will necessitate further assessment eg ruptured membranes, vaginal bleeding, severe pain


 * Plan for ongoing care
 * mother to rest as much as possible
 * mother to eat and drink
 * mother to relax in warm shower/bath
 * mother to mobilize at will
 * monitor baby's heart rate every 15-30 minutes
 * assess mother's progress and health as required
 * provide support, comfort measures and reassurance as required


 * Concludes discussion appropriately
 * briefly summarize advice and plan of action
 * ensure woman’s understanding
 * emphasize her choice about plan of action
 * make sure she knows how to call you for further information/advice if needed
 * make sure she knows when to call you for further information/advice


 * Documents discussion including advice and plan for ongoing care
 * date, time, signature
 * information woman shared with you
 * advice you gave woman
 * plan of action