Reflective Log 1

Reflective Log

Nursing Education Elective

Year II

Master of Science in Nursing (MSc.N)

Submitted to: Madam Saima

Submitted by: Yasmin Tahira

Date: 30.08.2023

College of Nursing

Nishtar Medical University Multan

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Introduction

Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle is a powerful model that encourages people to think critically and
systematically about their experiences, specific events and occurrences. This approach makes
it easier for them to identify the major causal factors and adjust their actions or behaviours
accordingly. This model also supports the concept of lifelong learning. The purpose of this
paper is to apply Gibbs framework to an incident that happened in midwifery.

Description

As a student of MSN second Year in college of nursing Nishter medical University Multan I
was assigned in Labour room to teach students of generic BSN and interns of Nishtar hospital
of Multan.The selected scenario for this discussion revolves around educating pregnant
women about the importance of getting vitamins and iron supplements. The background of
this incident is that a specific woman gave birth to a child with extremely low weight. The
baby developed breathing problems and was immediately diagnosed with infant respiratory
distress syndrome. This kind of medical condition occurs when an individual has immature
lungs (Hassmiller & Reinhard, 2015). Unfortunately, this newborn baby died two days after
birth. A detailed inquiry into this happening revealed that the mother was not taking the
recommended supplements during her pregnancy. This example was a clear indication that
many women were not taking the issue of nutrition into consideration, thereby exposing
themselves and their unborn babies to numerous health challenges or risks.

Application of Gibbs’ Cycle and Discussion

Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle is an evidence-based self-reflection tool that can help people to
examine their experiences and identify new measures for improving them and acquiring
additional ideas (see Figure 1). This framework has become essential in the fields of nursing
and healthcare delivery (Doolen, 2017). It encourages people to identify both the negative and
positive aspects of any given eventuality and learn from it.
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Figure
1: Gibbs’ Cycle of Reflection (Wain, 2017).
Description

During the first stage, the involved individual will give a detailed description of the event
without presenting any conclusions or personal insights (see Figure 1). The presented incident
occurred when a newborn baby died two days later due to a respiratory condition triggered by
or associated with low birth weight (Doolen, 2017). Those involved provided adequate
support to the baby after birth and the mother. All caregivers, practitioners, physicians and
midwives were part of the process to ensure that the child received adequate oxygen.

Feelings

I was moved by this event and sympathized with both the baby and the mother. I felt
traumatised since such an incident could have been controlled or prevented. This becomes a
learning point for all pregnant women and every person planning to have a child. My
students, the mother’s family members and clinicians were unhappy because of this loss.
They still maintained that such an event could have been avoided.

Evaluation

This midwifery incident occurred because the targeted woman had not appreciated the
importance of vitamin and iron supplements during pregnancy. However, all participants and
clinicians provided adequate and timely support throughout the period. They ensured that
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high-quality services were available to the newborn baby. Personally, I provided adequate
care and guidance to the mother after she gave birth. I also updated her family members and
relatives continuously. All other stakeholders ensured that the baby got timely medical
attention. From this event, I have learnt that the issue of nutrition is something that all people
should never ignore. Childbearing women should go further to receive adequate supplements
and vitamins if they are to give birth to healthy babies (Wain, 2017). This knowledge will
encourage me to empower, educate and sensitise more individuals about such an event and
how to prevent it.

Conclusion

Although this incident resulted in the death of an innocent baby, it can become a powerful
model for guiding health professionals in the field of midwifery, my students and public
health experts to educate more women about the importance of vitamin and nutrient
supplements during pregnancy . In future, I will always sensitise and inform every pregnant
woman about the benefits of getting the right minerals and food materials. I will have to
engage in lifelong learning in an attempt to learn more about the best nutrients that are
appropriate for women during pregnancy. This knowledge will make it easier for me to
prevent similar events.

Action Plan

The recorded incident has become a powerful model for ensuring that more women give birth
to babies with average weights. The best action plan entails the implementation of a program
that educates women about the importance of taking vitamin supplements during birth. The
campaign should be designed in such a way that it encourages all beneficiaries to inform their
friends, neighbours and relatives . Similar programs should be available to all women seeking
prenatal health services. The introduction of evidence-based measures will prevent the
reoccurrence of a similar incident.

Conclusion

The above discussion has described how Gibbs’ cycle can guide medical professionals to
address most of the problems that might occur during the delivery of health services. The
described incident becomes a meaningful case study for overcoming various sentinel events
in midwifery. Pregnant women should receive timely guidance and take the required minerals
and vitamin supplements in order to give birth to healthy babies.
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References

Doolen, J. (2017). Meta-analysis, systematic, and integrative reviews: An overview. Clinical

Simulation in Nursing, 13(1), 28-30. Web.

Hassmiller, S. B., & Reinhard, S. C. (2015). A bold new vision for America’s health care
system. Nursing Outlook, 63(1), 41-47. Web.

Howatson-Jones, L. (2016). Reflective practice in nursing (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:
SAGE Publications Inc.

Wain, A. (2017). Learning through reflection. British Journal of Mid