Doctor Virginia Schmied

DIRECTOR - ENGAGEMENT & INTERNATIONAL,
Dean's Unit - School of Nursing and Midwifery

PROFESSOR,
School of Nursing and Midwifery

Personal
Contact
Biography
Publications
Research
Supervision

Personal

Qualifications

BA University of New South Wales

UWS Organisational Unit (School / Division)

Dean's Unit - School of Nursing and Midwifery
School of Nursing and Midwifery

Professional Memberships

Australian College of Midwives (1992-01-01)

Contact

Email:	V.Schmied@uws.edu.au
Extension:	9505
Mobile:
Location:	EB.LG.08 Parramatta
Website:

Biography

Virginia Schmied is Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the Family and Community Health (FaCH) research group. She is a registered midwife and a registered nurse with experience extends across clinical practice, education, research and consultancy. Professor Schmied has worked in other tertiary institutions and as a senior manager in the public sector. She holds a Visiting Professorship at University of Central Lancashire (UK) and an Adjunct Professorship at the University of Technology, Sydney. Professor Schmied is a leading Australian researcher in midwifery and child and family health. Her program of scholarship, teaching and research is grounded in social science theory and methods and focuses on transition to motherhood, perinatal mental health, breastfeeding and infant feeding decisions, postnatal care, effective models to support vulnerable families, family centered care in NICU, strengthening the universal health services for families and children and the role of the child and family health nurse. In addition she works with colleagues to research strategies to facilitate normal birth including studies on obesity in childbirth, physiological birth positions and place of birth. Professor Schmied is currently supervising 11 higher degree students in these areas She has published over 80 refereed journal articles, book chapters and published reports and regularly presents (including as a key note speaker) at national and international conferences. Professor Schmied has recently completed two ARC linkage study and is currently an investigator on two other ARC linkage projects and an ARC discovery grant (Miller Early Childhood Sustained Nurse Home Visiting) and has previously held ARC and NHMRC grants. Her research has been translated to policy and practice. For example, the findings of infant feeding research have been translated and disseminated in teaching resources for health professionals (training manual for antenatal educators and bilingual parent educators) as well as resources for parents (eg Breastfeeding and You DVD; information translated into several languages on infant feeding) She is particularly skilled in building collaborative teams and has used opportunities for seed funding to grow a teams / networks, to publish findings and reports and then to apply for competitive funding.

This information has been contributed by Doctor Schmied.

Interests

Health and maternity service systems
Infant feeding
Perinatal mental health

Publications

Chapters in Books

Sheehan, A. and Schmied, V. (2011), 'The imperative to breastfeed: An Australian perspective', Infant feeding practices: A cross-cultural perspective, Springer 9781441968722.
Dahlen, H., Schmied, V. and Tracy, S. (2011), 'Bringing it all together: an application of the research process to the field of practice', Navigating the Maze of Research. Enhancing Nursing and Midwifery Practice, Elsevier 9780729540902.
Schmied, V. and Lupton, D. (2010), 'Blurring the boundaries: breastfeeding and maternal subjectivity', Abjectly Boundless: Boundaries, Bodies and Health Work, Ashgate Publishing Ltd 9780754679103.

Journal Articles

Mills, A., Schmied, V., Taylor, C., Dahlen, H., Shuiringa, W. and Hudson, M. (2013), 'Someone to talk to: young mothers' experiences of participating in a young parents support programme.', Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, .
Dahlen, H. and Schmied, V. (2013), 'Women's experiences following severe perineal trauma : a meta-ethnographic synthesis', Journal of Advanced Nursing, 12.
Burns, E., Fenwick, J., Schmied, V. and Sheehan, A. (2012), 'Reflexivity in midwifery research: The insider/outsider debate', Midwifery, 9.
Elmir, R., Schmied, V., Wilkes, L. and Jackson, D. (2012), 'Separation, failure and temporary relinquishment: women's experiences of early mothering in the context of emergency hysterectomy', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 9.
Elmir, R., Elmir, R., Schmied, V., Jackson, D. and Wilkes, L. (2012), 'Between life and death: Women's experiences of coming close to death, and surviving a severe postpartum haemorrhage and emergency hysterectomy', Midwifery, 8.
Elmir, R., Jackson, D., Schmied, V. and Wilkes, L. (2012), '"Less Feminine and Less a Woman": The Impact of Unplanned Postpartum Hysterectomy on Women', International Journal of Childbirth, 10.
Trajkovski, S., Schmied, V., Vickers, M., Vickers, M. and Jackson, D. (2012), 'Neonatal nurses' perspectives of family-centred care: a qualitative study.', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 11.
Johnson, M., Schmied, V., Lupton, S., Austin, M., Matthey, S., Kemp, L., Meade, T., Meade, T., Yeo, A. and Yeo, A. (2012), 'Measuring perinatal mental health risk', Archives of Women's Mental Health, 12.
Barclay, L., Longman, J., Schmied, V., Sheehan, A., Rolfe, M., Burns, E. and Fenwick, J. (2012), 'The professionalising of breast feeding- where are we a decade on?', Midwifery, 10.
Harvey, S., Schmied, V., Nicholls, D. and Dahlen, H. (2012), 'Key components of a service model providing early childhood support for women attending opioid treatment clinics: an Australian state health service review', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 10.
Mills, A., Schmied, V., Taylor, C., Dahlen, H., Schuiringa, W. and Hudson, M. (2012), 'Connecting, learning, leaving: supporting young parents in the community', Health and Social Care in the Community, 10.
Taylor, C., Mills, A., Schmied, V., Dahlen, H., Shuiringa, W. and Hudson, M. (2012), 'What works to engage young parents into services? Findings from an appreciative inquiry workshop.', Contemporary Nurse, 14.
Jackson, M., Dahlen, H. and Schmied, V. (2012), 'Birthing outside the system : perceptions of risk amongst Australian women who have freebirths and high risk homebirths', Midwifery, 7.
Burns, E., Schmied, V., Fenwick, J. and Sheehan, A. (2012), 'Liquid gold from the milk bar : constructions of breastmilk and breastfeeding women in the language and practices of midwives', Social Science and Medicine, 9.
Burns, E., Fenwick, J., Schmied, V. and Sheehan, A. (2012), 'Reflexivity in midwifery research : the insider/outsider debate', Midwifery, 9.
Trajkovski, S., Schmied, V., Vickers, M. and Jackson, D. (2012), 'Neonatal nurses' perspectives of family-centred care : a qualitative study', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 11.
Mills, A., Schmied, V., Taylor, C., Dahlen, H., Schuiringa, W. and Hudson, M. (2012), 'Connecting, learning, leaving : supporting young parents in the community', Health and Social Care in the Community, 10.
Barclay, L., Longman, J., Schmied, V., Sheehan, A., Rolfe, M., Burns, E. and Fenwick, J. (2012), 'The professionalising of breast feeding : where are we a decade on?', Midwifery, 10.
Johnson, M., Schmied, V., Lupton, S., Austin, M., Matthey, S., Kemp, L., Meade, T. and Yeo, A. (2012), 'Measuring perinatal mental health risk', Archives of Women's Mental Health, 12.
Harvey, S., Schmied, V., Nicholls, D. and Dahlen, H. (2012), 'Key components of a service model providing early childhood support for women attending opioid treatment clinics : an Australian state health service review', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 10.
Elmir, R., Elmir, R., Schmied, V., Wilkes, L. and Jackson, D. (2012), 'Separation, failure and temporary relinquishment : women's experiences of early mothering in the context of emergency hysterectomy', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 9.
Elmir, R., Jackson, D., Schmied, V. and Wilkes, L. (2012), ''Less feminine and less a woman' : the impact of unplanned postpartum hysterectomy on women', International Journal of Childbirth, 10.
Elmir, R., Elmir, R., Schmied, V., Jackson, D. and Wilkes, L. (2012), 'Between life and death : women's experiences of coming close to death, and surviving a severe postpartum haemorrhage and emergency hysterectomy', Midwifery, 8.
Taylor, C., Mills, A., Schmied, V., Dahlen, H., Shuiringa, W. and Hudson, M. (2012), 'What works to engage young parents into services? Findings from an appreciative inquiry workshop', Contemporary Nurse, 14.
Schmied, V., Burns, E., Duff, M. and Dahlen, H. (2012), 'Contradictions and conflict : a meta-ethnographic study of migrant women's experiences of breastfeeding in a new country', BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 15.
Dahlen, H. and Schmied, V. (2012), 'What makes episiotomy rates change? : a systematic review of the literature', International Journal of Childbirth, 11.
Taylor, C., Gribble, K., Sheehan, A., Schmied, V. and Dykes, F. (2011), 'Staff Perceptions and Experiences of Implementing the Baby Friendly Initiative in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Australia', JOGNN - Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 10.
Schmied, V., Beake, S., Sheehan, A., Mccourt, C. and Dykes, F. (2011), 'Women's Perceptions and Experiences of Breastfeeding Support: A Metasynthesis', Birth, 12.
Hauck, Y., Fenwick, J., Dhaliwal, S., Butt, J. and Schmied, V. (2011), 'The association between women's perceptions of professional support and problems experienced on breastfeeding cessation: A Western Australian study', Journal of Human Lactation, 9.
Schmied, V., Duff, M., Dahlen, H., Mills, A. and Kolt, G. (2011), ''Not waving but drowning':A study of the experiences and concerns of midwives and other health professionals caring for obese childbearing women', Midwifery, 7.
Burns, E., Fenwick, J., Schmied, V. and Sheehan, A. (2011), 'Reflexivity in midwifery research: the insider/outsider debate', Midwifery, .
Elmir, R., Elmir, R., Schmied, V., Jackson, D. and Wilkes, L. (2011), 'Interviewing people about potentially sensitive topics.', Nurse researcher, 5.
Dahlen, H., Jackson, M., Schmied, V., Tracy, S. and Priddis, H. (2011), 'Birth centres and the National Maternity Services Review: Response to consumer demand or compromise?', Women and Birth, 8.
Do, C., Smith, C., Dahlen, H., Bisits, A. and Schmied, V. (2011), 'Moxibustion for cephalic version: A feasibility randomised controlled trial', BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, .
Dahlen, H., Schmied, V., Tracy, S., Jackson, M., Cummings, J. and Priddis, H. (2011), 'Home birth and the National Australian Maternity Services Review: Too hot to handle?', Women and Birth, 8.
Schmied, V., Gribble, K., Sheehan, A., Taylor, C. and Dykes, F. (2011), 'Ten steps or climbing a mountain: A study of Australian health professionals' perceptions of implementing the baby friendly health initiative to protect, promote and support breastfeeding', BMC Health Services Research, 10.
Kemp, L., Harris, E., Mcmahon, C., Matthey, S., Vimpani, G., Anderson, T., Schmied, V. and Aslam, H. (2011), 'Child and family outcomes of a long-term nurse home visitation programme: A randomised controlled trial', Archives of Disease in Childhood, 8.
Elmir, R., Schmied, V., Wilkes, L. and Jackson, D. (2011), 'Separation, failure and temporary relinquishment: Women's experiences of early mothering in the context of emergency hysterectomy', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 9.
Schmied, V., Donovan, J., Kruske, S., Kemp, L., Homer, C. and Fowler, C. (2011), 'Commonalities and challenges: A review of Australian State and Territory maternity and child health policies', Contemporary Nurse, .
Schmied, V., Schmied, V., Duff, M., Duff, M., Dahlen, H., Dahlen, H., Mills, A., Mills, A. and Kolt, G. (2011), ''Not waving but drowning': A study of the experiences and concerns of midwives and other health professionals caring for obese childbearing women', Midwifery, 7.
Burns, E., Schmied, V., Sheehan, A. and Fenwick, J. (2010), 'A meta-ethnographic synthesis of women's experience of breastfeeding', Maternal and Child Nutrition, 19.
Sheehan, A., Schmied, V. and Barclay, L. (2010), 'Complex decisions: theorizing women's infant feeding decisions in the first 6 weeks after birth', Journal of Advanced Nursing, 10.
Schmied, V. and Walsh, P. (2010), 'Effective casework practice with adolescents: perspectives of statutory child protection practitioners', Child and Family Social Work, 11.
Reid, J., Schmied, V. and Beale, B. (2010), ''I only give advice if I am I asked' : Examining the grandmother's potential to influence infant feeding decisions and parenting practices of new mothers', Women and Birth, 7.
Fenwick, J., Butt, J., Dhaliwa, S., Hauck, Y. and Schmied, V. (2010), 'Western Australian women's perceptions of the style and quality of midwifery postnatal care in hospital and at home', Women and Birth, 12.
Cioffi, J., Schmied, V., Dahlen, H., Mills, A., Thornton, C., Duff, M., Cummings, J. and Kolt, G. (2010), 'Physical Activity in Pregnancy: Women's Perceptions, Practices, and Influencing Factors', Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 7.
Elmir, R., Elmir, R., Jackson, D., Beale, B. and Schmied, V. (2010), 'Against all odds: Women's experiences of recovery from breast cancer', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 8.
Elmir, R., Elmir, R., Schmied, V., Wilkes, L. and Jackson, D. (2010), 'Women's perceptions and experiences of traumatic birth: A meta-ethnography', Journal of Advanced Nursing, 12.
Schmied, V., Mills, A., Kruske, S., Kemp, L., Fowler, C. and Homer, C. (2010), 'The nature and impact of collaboration and integrated service delivery for pregnant women, children and families', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 371.
Dockett, S., Perry, B., Kearney, E., Hampshire, A., Mason, J. and Schmied, V. (2009), 'Researching with Families: ethical issues and situations', Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood, 13.
Schmied, V., Cooke, M., Gutwein, R., Steinlein, E. and Homer, C. (2009), 'An evaluation of strategies to improve the quality and content of hospital-based postnatal care in metropolitan Australian hospital', Journal of Clinical Nursing, 12.
Homer, C., Henry, K., Schmied, V., Kemp, L., Leap, N. and Briggs, C. (2009), ''It looks good on paper': Transitions of care between midwives and child and family health nurses in New South Wales', Women and Birth, 9.
Sheehan, A., Schmied, V. and Barclay, L. (2009), 'Women's experiences of infant feeding support in the first 6 weeks post-birth', Maternal and Child Nutrition, 13.
Kardamanidis, K., Kemp, L. and Schmied, V. (2009), 'Uncovering psychosocial needs: Perspectives of Australian child and family health nurses in a sustained home visiting trial', Contemporary Nurse, 9.
Schmied, V., Cooke, M., Gutwein, R., Steinlein, E. and Homer, C. (2008), 'Time to listen: Strategies to improve hospital-based postnatal care', Women and Birth, 7.
Fenwick, J., Barclay, L. and Schmied, V. (2008), 'Craving closeness: A grounded theory analysis of women's experiences of mothering in the special care nursery', Women and Birth, 15.
Schmied, V. (2008), 'Breastfeeding in hospital: Mothers, midwives and the production line', Maternal and Child Nutrition, 1.
Kemp, L., Harris, E., Mcmahon, C., Matthey, S., Vimpani, G., Anderson, T. and Schmied, V. (2008), 'Miller Early Childhood Sustained Home-visiting (MECSH) trial: design, method and sample description', BMC Public Health, .
Cooke, M., Schmied, V. and Sheehan, A. (2007), 'An exploration of the relationship between postnatal distress and maternal role attainment, breast feeding problems and breast feeding cessation in Australia', Midwifery, 11.
Kruske, S., Schmied, V. and Cooke, M. (2007), 'The 'Earlybird' gets the breastmilk: findings from an evaluation of combined professional and peer support groups to improve breastfeeding duration in the first eight weeks after birth', Maternal and Child Nutrition, 12.
Kruske, S., Barclay, L. and Schmied, V. (2006), 'Primary Health Care, Partnership and Polemic: Child and Family Health Nursing Support in Early Parenting', Australian Journal of Primary Health, 9.
Brownhill, S., Wilhelm, K., Barclay, L. and Schmied, V. (2005), ''Big Build' : Hidden depression in men', The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 11.
Kruske, S., Schmied, V., Sutton, I. and O'Hare, J. (2004), 'Mother's experiences of facilitated peer support groups and individual child health nursing support : A comparative evaluation', Journal of Perinatal Education, 8.
Williams, P., Barclay, L. and Schmied, V. (2004), 'Defining social support in context : A necessary step in improving research, intervention and practice', Qualitative Health Research, 19.
Cooke, M., Sheehan, A. and Schmied, V. (2003), 'A Description of the Relationship between Breastfeeding Experiences, Breastfeeding Satisfaction, and Weaning in the First 3 Months after Birth', Journal of Human Lactation, 12.
Fenwick, J., Barclay, L. and Schmied, V. (2003), 'The role of nurses in the special care nursery : What they consider their prime responsibility to be', Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 6.
Sheehan, A., Schmied, V. and Cooke, M. (2003), 'Australian women's stories of their baby-feeding decisions in pregnancy', Midwifery, 8.
Lupton, D. and Schmied, V. (2002), 'The right way of doing it all : First-time Australian mothers' decisions about paid employment', Women's Studies International Forum, 11.
Lee, J. and Schmied, V. (2002), 'Involving men in antenatal education', British Journal of Midwifery, 3.
Fenwick, J., Barclay, L. and Schmied, V. (2002), 'Learning and playing the game : Women's experiences of mothering in the Level II nursery', Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 7.
Schmied, V., Myors, K., Wills, J. and Cooke, M. (2002), 'Preparing Expectant Couples for New-Parent Experiences: A Comparison of Two Models of Antenatal Education', Journal of Perinatal Education, 8.
Schmied, V. and Lupton, D. (2001), 'Blurring the boundries : Breastfeeding and maternal subjectivity', Sociology of Health and Illness: a journal of medical sociology, 18.
Schmied, V. and Lupton, D. (2001), 'The Externality of the inside : Body images of pregnancy', Nursing Inquiry, 9.
Schmied, V., Sheehan, A. and Barclay, L. (2001), 'Contemporary breastfeeding policy and practices : Implications for midwives', Midwifery, 10.
Fenwick, J., Barclay, L. and Schmied, V. (2001), 'Struggling to mother : a consequence of inhibitive nursing interactions in the neonatal nursery', Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, 16.
Fenwick, J., Barclay, L. and Schmied, V. (2001), ''Chatting': an important clinical tool in facilitating mothering in neonatal nurseries', Journal of Advanced Nursing, 11.

Conference Papers

Do, C., Smith, C., Dahlen, H., Schmied, V. and Schmeid, V. (2011), 'Moxibustion for cephalic version: a feasibility study', 15th Annual Congress of the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand, Hobart.
Burns, E., Schmied, V., Fenwick, J. and Sheehan, A. (2010), 'Health professional language in the first week after birth: construction of the infant', QEC 6th International Conference, Melbourne.
Burns, E., Schmied, V., Fenwick, J. and Sheehan, A. (2010), 'Midwives and breastfeeding women: Rocking the boat, or providing a safe haven', NSW Midwives Association Conference, Kiama.
Burns, E., Schmied, V., Fenwick, J. and Sheehan, A. (2010), 'Establishing Breastfeeding: Health Professional Language and Practices', ACTLACT Twilight Seminar, Canberra.
Burns, E., Schmied, V. and Sheehan, A. (2010), 'Breastfeeding: the language and practices of midwives', UWS Research futures forum, .
Burns, E., Schmied, V., Fenwick, J. and Sheehan, A. (2010), 'Breastfeeding and the discursive representations of newborn infant behaviour', Australian Lactation Consultant Association conference "Breastfeeding a Key Public Health Issue, Canberra.
Schmied, V., Cioffi, J., Dahlen, H., Kolt, G., Duff, M. and Thornton, C. (2008), 'Caring for obese women: Midwives experiences and concerns', Proceedings of the Women's Hospitals Australasia Annual Conference, Sydney, Australia.

Research

Areas of Research/Teaching Expertise:

Transition to parenthood; women's experiences of pregnancy; childbirth and parenting education; breastfeeding; supporting parents with infants in neonatal nurseries; models of midwifery care and postnatal care; the role of child and family health nurse; child protection and multidisciplinary health services.

Qualitative research methods: Grounded theory; discourse analysis; ethnography; health services education.