Griffith University

PhD, MA, DPSM/ADM, RM, RGN
Senior Lecturer (Midwifery)
Program Convenor Bachelor of Midwifery
Contact details for Dr Mary Sidebotham

Research expertise

• Qualitative methodology
• Survey design and administration
• Workforce culture
• Professionalism and identity in midwifery

Current Research

• Workforce culture and professional identity using the appreciative inquiry model
• Teaching research to undergraduate midwifery and nursing students
• Measuring the emotional wellbeing of midwives
• Determing the expectations and experiences of Bachelor of Midwifery students
  

Current teaching areas or responsibilities

• Undergraduate third year course focussed midwifery practice
• Undergraduate research course

Visiting  Academic Scholar Appointments

• Metro South Health District / Queensland Health
• University of Hull (UK)

Professional activity

Ministerial appointments:

• Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal
• Queensland Maternal and Perinatal Quality Council  (Deputy Chair)
• Queensland Maternal and Pperinatal Quality Council  Maternal Mortality review Committee

Elected Positions:

• Vice President Australian College of Midwives Queensland Branch

Steering group / Committee membership:

• Rural Maternity Initiative Bayside Island midwifery Project (Redland hospital)
• ACM Queensland Conference Committee member  (Academic Chair)
• Virtual International Day of the Midwife (VIDM) Organising Committee
• Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Committee (ANMAC) Assessor

Peer Reviewer:

• Midwifery, Women and Birth, International Nursing Review, Nurse Education in Practice, Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal
  

Publications

Book Chapters

• Sidebotham, M., Walsh, T. (2011) Epidemiology. In S. Macdonald & J. Magill-Cuerden(Eds.), Mayes Midwifery (14th ed.) Edinburgh: Elsevier.
• Sidebotham, M. (2007) My journey to caseload midwifery. In D. Vernon (Ed.), With Women - midwives experiences: from shift work to continuity of care Canberra: Australian College of Midwives.
• Sidebotham, M. (2004) Vital statistics. In C. Henderson & S. Macdonald (Eds.), Mayes Midwifery (13th ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier.
• Sidebotham, M. (2004) Reducing intrapartum deaths. In G. Edwards (Ed.), Adverse Outcomes in Maternity Care. London: Elsevier.
• Sidebotham, M. (2004) Pregnancy, childbirth and mental health In C. Henderson & S. Macdonald (Eds.), Mayes Midwifery (13th ed.) Edinburgh: Elsevier.
• Sidebotham, M. (1996) Pregnancy following assisted conception. In I. Karger & S. Hunt (Eds.), Challenges for Midwifery Care Macmillan.

Refereed Journal Articles

• Sidebotham, M., Ahern, K. (2011) Factors influencing midwery migration from the United Kingdom to Australia. International Nursing Review, 58(4). 498-504, doi: 10.1111/j.1466-7657.2011.00916.x
• Sidebotham, M., Brittain, H. (2011) Reversing the trend: Reopening a previously closed rural birthing. women and Birth, 24, Supp 1, S7. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2011.07.038.
• Sidebotham, M., Ahern, K. (2011) Finding a Way Finding a way: The experiences of UK educated Midwives finding their place in the midwifery workforce in Australia. Midwifery. doi:10.1016/j midw.2011.01.002.
• Vadeyar, S., Johnston, T., Sidebotham, M., & Sands, J. (2005) Neonatal death following termination of pregnancy. British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 112(8), 1159-1162.
• Sidebotham, M. (2004) Donor anonymity removed.  Implications for midwives. British Journal of Midwifery.
• Sidebotham, M. (2004) The NICE antenatal guidelines under the microscope. British Journal of Midwifery, 12(3), 137-140.
• Sidebotham, M. (2004) Promoting normal birth; The Kings new clothes retold. RCM Midwives Journal (August).
• Sidebotham, M. (2003). Two become one: The birth of CEMACH. British Journal of Midwifery.
• Sidebotham, M. (2003). Antenatal guidelines: quality not quantity British Journal of Midwifery, 11(12), 705-706.
• Byrd, L., Sidebotham, M., & Lieberman, B. (2002) Egg donation - the donor’s view: an aid to future recruitment. Human Fertility, 5, 175-182.
• Sidebotham, M. (2001). CESDI the eighth annual report. British Journal of Midwifery, 9(11), 714 - 715
• Sidebotham, M. (2001). The consultant midwife role: will it make a difference? RCM Midwives Journal, 4(1), 20-21.
• Sidebotham, M. (2001). Look listen act and make a difference. British Journal of Midwifery 9(10).
• Sidebotham, M. (2001). Ovum donation The Journal of the British Menopause Society, 7(2).
• Sidebotham, M. (2000). CESDI the seventh annual report. British Journal of Midwifery, 8(7), 412 - 414.
• Rhodes, A., Kenyon, S., & Sidebotham, M. (2000) Managing shoulder dystocia: we need clearer guidelines. British Journal of Midwifery, 8(8), 506 -510.
• Sidebotham, M., & Vause, S. (2000) Quality as a theme for maternity care research. Quality in Healthcare, 9, 195-198.
• Sidebotham, M. (1999) CESDI the sixth annual report. British Journal of Midwifery 7(8), 477-480.
• Sidebotham, M. (1998) CESDI the fifth annual report. British Journal of Midwifery, 6(11), 692 - 694.
• Sidebotham, M. (1994) Academic degrees or clinical expertise. British Journal of Midwifery.
• Edwards, J., Benham, J., Lieberman, B., Holt, E., & Sidebotham, M. (1994) Views on donated ovarian tissue. The Lancet, 344(8925), 824-825.

Non-refereed Publications

• Sidebotham, M., & Fantom, M. (2005) Reducing maternal deaths enquiry to action or reality not rhetoric NHSLA Journal Spring 19-29.
• Sidebotham, M. (2005) Advancing midwifery practice: supporting home birth. Practising Midwife, 8(6), 27-28.
• Sidebotham, M. (2004) Making normal birth a reality. The Practising Midwife, 7(2).
• Sidebotham, M. (2003) Egg and sperm donation: an issue for health care professionals? Journal of Family Health Care, 13(5), 134-136.
• Sidebotham, M. (2002) Midwifes Mandarin madness: Walking the great wall of China. The Journal Of Family Health Care, 12(1), 10-11.
• Sidebotham, M. (2002) Access to origins: The UK law what midwives should know The Practising Midwife, 5(5).
• Sidebotham, M. (2002) Focus on infertility RCM Midwives Journal, 5(4 April), 124-125.
• Sidebotham, M. (2001) National Gamete Donation Trust Donor Survey (A Report produced  for the Department of Health)
• Sidebotham, M. (2001) Assisted Conception, an issue for midwives? The Practising Midwife 4(11), 10-12.
• Sidebotham, M. (1999) Unlocking the community spirit maternity services NT/3M National Nursing Awards. Nursing Times, 95(6), 38-39.

Grants awarded

• Sidebotham M, Gamble J, Chipperfield J, Bass J, Carter A, Duffy E. Student Lifecycle Leadership Group. Bachelor of Midwifery Strategic Action Plan ($24,000).
  
• Sidebotham M, Fenwick J, Gamble J, Creedy D. Refining a psychological tool to measure the emotional wellbeing of midwives: A pilot study GHI Project scheme 2011 ($12,000).
• An exploration of midwives’ views on the contribution of midwifery within maternity service provision across public and private hospitals in SE Queensland. Griffith RCCCPI ECR Mentored Grant Scheme 2011.

Teaching awards

• 2011, Griffith University Award for Excellence in Teaching: Early Career Award (Highly Commended)
• 2011, Griffith University PVC Commendation for Excellence in Teaching
• 2010, Griffith University Dean's Commendation for Excellence in Teaching
  

Biographical information

Dr Mary Sidebotham has worked within the maternity care environment since qualifying as a midwife in 1984. She is deeply committed to providing woman centred care and has maintained this focus throughout all her work. Mary has a clinical and academic interest in midwifery workforce issues. Her doctoral studies focussed on recruitment and retention of midwives with an emphasis on workforce culture and international movement of midwives. During this time she worked extensively within rural and remote areas of Queensland where she supported the introduction of innovative midwifery led models of care.

Mary continues to provide professional leadership aimed at strengthening midwifery and supporting women’s choices in provision of maternity services. She is a skilled negotiator and has an extensive track record of negotiating with communities and service providers to ensure women can access appropriate services in the areas where they live. She provides mentorship to midwives in clinical practice in Australia and to student midwives within the Griffith Honours College.