ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how encouraging the use of critical reflection within a contemporary midwifery practice setting can influence a midwife’s ability to make important clinical decisions. It considers which can enhance self-awareness and insight and empower midwives’ decision-making skills to influence their practice irrespective of the type of maternity setting they work in throughout the world. The chapter examines international concepts surrounding how the use of reflection is used to support midwives and student midwives through a continuous improvement process which aims to build personal and professional resilience, enhance quality of care and support preparedness for professional revalidation. As a learning approach, reflection increases awareness of perceptions and is an essential element of knowledge and skill acquisition and development. The most important factor of this cycle is the ability to form an action plan to formalise the outcome of the reflection and take learning forward to inform future practice.
