About
18
Publications
1,891
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Introduction
As a midwife, I am interested in ways to improve our health services, through empowerment of women and midwives, de-medicalisation, and better understanding of childbirth physiology. Furthermore, I am passionate about improving midwifery education, and supporting families with particular vulnerability, such as recent migrants (refugee or voluntary).
My current research focus lies on physiological labour plateaus as a healthy mechanism of self-regulation during normal childbirth.
Current institution
Additional affiliations
February 2025 - present
July 2019 - January 2025
Position
- Doctoral Student + Postdoctoral Researcher + Peer to Peer Research Adviser
July 2017 - May 2019
Position
- Head of Department
Description
- My key responsibilities as head of midwifery school included: Strategic leadership and quality management of undergraduate midwifery programme; Curriculum design, enhancement and deployment of teaching staff; Teaching, mentoring and assessment of students in theory and practice; Collaboration with practice partners, including support of change in practice; Collaboration with affiliated university of applied sciences.
Education
July 2019 - July 2023
September 2012 - October 2015
May 2011 - May 2012
Publications
Publications (18)
Background: Physiological plateaus (slowing, stalling, pausing) during normal labor and birth have been reported for decades, but have received limited attention in research and clinical practice. To date, heterogeneous conceptualizations and terminology have impeded effective communication and research in this area, raising concern as to whether s...
Objective:
In this scoping review, contemporary concepts and definitions of phenomena during normal labor and birth, wherein the process appears to plateau (slow, stall, or pause) but remains within physiological limits, will be mapped.
Introduction:
During labor and birth, it is frequently perceived as pathological if contractions, cervical dil...
Background
Cultural immersion as a learning activity provides students with the opportunity to experience diversity and develop cultural safety. Both, ‘Study Abroad Programs’ and ‘Internationalisation at Home’ (IaH) aim to provide a cultural immersion experience for students. However, explicit learning objectives are essential for quality pedagogy...
Around the world, midwives support women and families during an exciting and vulnerable time of their life. Although there are general aspects of midwifery, such as the support during labour and birth, the scope of practice differs greatly between countries and regions around the globe. The education of midwives also varies, with the aim to prepare...
In response to the Syrian war and other conflicts, a large number of refugees arrived in Germany in summer 2015. Unprepared for the arrivals, many communities had to set up emergency accommodation to bridge the time between their arrival and the allocation of permanent housing. In a remote camp with up to 1,700 residents, Marina Weckend set up a mi...
Background
Diagnoses of labor dystocia, and subsequent labor augmentation, make one of the biggest contributions to childbirth medicalization, which remains a key challenge in contemporary maternity care. However, labor dystocia is poorly defined, and the antithetical concept of physiological plateaus remains insufficiently explored.
Aim
To genera...
Background
Worldwide, 14.9 million infants (11%) are born preterm each year. Up to 40% of preterm births (PTBs) are associated with genital tract infections. The vaginal pH can reflect changes in the vaginal milieu and, if elevated, indicates an abnormal flora or infection.
Objective
The aim of the study was to investigate whether an increased ant...
Aim:
This paper explores the concept of migrant women as used in European healthcare literature in context of pregnancy to provide a clearer understanding of the concept for use in research and service delivery.
Methods:
Walker and Avant's method of concept analysis.
Results:
The literature demonstrates ambiguity around the concept; most paper...
Objective:
Worldwide, 14.9 million infants (11%) are born preterm (PTB) each year. Up to 40% of PTB are associated with genital tract infections. The vaginal pH can reflect changes in the vaginal milieu and, if elevated, indicates an abnormal flora or infection. The aim of this study is to investigate, whether an increased antenatal vaginal pH > 4...
This article combines practice examples with evidence and recommendations on improving health care access, acceptability, and equity for refugee women and families in Germany. Health outcomes for refugee women and families can differ from the non-migrant population. Specific barriers for midwifery services include: uncertain previous health history...
This article briefly summarises health barriers that refugee women and families face when accessing the German maternity care system. Several specific barriers are discussed, including orientation in an unfamiliar environment, linguistic barriers and pre-existing health conditions, mental health concerns, female genital mutilation and child marriag...
Background: Currently, maternity care in Germany is undergoing a major structural transition. A continuous rise of liability insurance fees as well as an increasing centralization and privatization of maternity care have triggered a shortage of health service coverage in many places (1). At the same time, an individualization of care in terms of pa...
