Nursing and Midwifery

Dr Magdalena Ohaja

B.Sc., M.Sc., PhD

Biography

Magdalena is a lecturer in Midwifery at NUI Galway. She is a qualitative researcher. Her PhD thesis explored the concept of safe motherhood as experienced and understood by women, midwives and traditional birth attendants as well as the social structures that shape their experiences and understanding in southeast Nigeria. The study employed hermeneutic phenomenological approach guided by poststructural feminism.
In her MSc. dissertation, she explored support for learning in the clinical area for post registration student midwives.

Research Interests

Women's/maternal health, safe motherhood, normal labour and childbirth, Informal (traditional) birth attendants, cultural birth practices, and international policies around pregnancy and birth.
Midwifery education, learning support for midwifery student, clinical learning environment.
Methodologies - Qualitative research - hermeneutics, phenomenology, feminisms, discourse analysis and ethnography.

Peer Reviewed Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2024)	'Outcomes of interventions in neonatal sepsis: A systematic review of qualitative research' Taneri PE, Devane D, Kirkham J, Molloy E., Daly M., Branagan A., Suguitani D., Wynn J.l, Kisson N., Kwaza K., Simons S.H., Bonnars L.N., Giannoni E., Strunk T., Ohaja M., Mugabe K., Quirke F., Kateregga B. & Biesty L. (2024) 'Outcomes of interventions in neonatal sepsis: A systematic review of qualitative research'. International Journal Of Gynecology & Obstetrics, :1-9 [DOI] [Details]
	(2023)	'Protocol for the development of a coreoutcome set for neonatal sepsis (NESCOS)' Taneri PE, Kirkham JJ, Molloy EJ, BiestyL, Polin RA, Wynn JL., Stoll B.J., Kisson N., Kawaza K., Daly M., Branagan A., Bonnard L.N., Giannoni E. Strunk T., Ohaja M., Mugabe K., Suguitani D., Quirke F. & Devane D. (2023) (2023) 'Protocol for the development of a coreoutcome set for neonatal sepsis (NESCOS)'. Plos One, 18 (12):1-11 [DOI] [Details]
	(2023)	'An integrative literature review on the impact of COVID-19 on maternal and child health in Africa' Senkyire E.K., Olabanji E., Dominic D., Asiedua E., White R., Dunlea M., Mary Barger M. and Ohaja M (2023) 'An integrative literature review on the impact of COVID-19 on maternal and child health in Africa'. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23 (6) [DOI] [Details]
	(2023)	'A narrative literature review on media and maternal health in Africa' Ohaja, M., Senkyire, E. K., Ewetan, O., Asiedua, E., & Azuh, D. (2023) 'A narrative literature review on media and maternal health in Africa'. World Medical & Health Policy, 15 (2):123-147 [DOI] [Details]
	(2023)	'Parental experiences with changes in maternity care during the Covid-19 pandemic: A mixed studies systematic review' Lalor J.G., Sheaf G., Mulligan A., Ohaja M., Clive A., Murhpy-Tighe S., Debby Ng E., and Shorey S. (2023) 'Parental experiences with changes in maternity care during the Covid-19 pandemic: A mixed studies systematic review'. Women And Birth : Journal Of The Australian College Of Midwives, 36 (2):e203-e212 [DOI] [Details]
	(2022)	'Socio-economic factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and motherhood: Analysis of the 2017 Ghana maternal health survey' Senkyire E.K., Boateng D., Boakye F.O., Logo D.D. and Ohaja M. (2022) 'Socio-economic factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and motherhood: Analysis of the 2017 Ghana maternal health survey'. Plos One, 12 (17):1-16 [DOI] [Details]
	(2021)	'Pregnancy in Prison- A Literature review. Part 3: the role and attitude of prison staff and Healthcare providers' Snowe C. & Ohaja M. (2021) 'Pregnancy in Prison- A Literature review. Part 3: the role and attitude of prison staff and Healthcare providers'. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, 31 (4):439-442 [Details]
	(2021)	'Rituals and Embodied Cultural Practices at the Beginning of Life: African Perspectives' Ohaja M. & Anyim C. (2021) 'Rituals and Embodied Cultural Practices at the Beginning of Life: African Perspectives'. Religions, 12 (11):1-12 [DOI] [Details]
	(2021)	'Pregnancy in Prison - a Literature review. Part 2: Fragmented Care' Snowe C. & Ohaja M. (2021) 'Pregnancy in Prison - a Literature review. Part 2: Fragmented Care'. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, 31 (3):312-315 [Details]
	(2021)	'Pregnancy in prison - a literature review Part 1: orgnasation of care' Snowe C, Ohaja M (2021) 'Pregnancy in prison - a literature review Part 1: orgnasation of care'. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest, 31 (2):195-200 [Details]
	(2020)	'Midwives' views of traditional birth attendants within formal healthcare in Nigeria' Ohaja M;Murphy-Lawless J;Dunlea M; (2020) 'Midwives' views of traditional birth attendants within formal healthcare in Nigeria'. Women And Birth : Journal Of The Australian College Of Midwives, 33 (2):e111-e116 [DOI] [Details]
	(2019)	'Spiritual and Religious Aspects of Pregnancy and Birth in Nigeria: Women’s Perspectives' Ohaja M., Murphy-Lawless J. and Dunlea M (2019) 'Spiritual and Religious Aspects of Pregnancy and Birth in Nigeria: Women’s Perspectives'. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 7 (2):131-144 [DOI] [Details]
	(2019)	'Religion and Spirituality in Pregnancy and Birth: The Views of Birth Practitioners in Southeast Nigeria' Ohaja, M;Murphy-Lawless, J;Dunlea, M (2019) 'Religion and Spirituality in Pregnancy and Birth: The Views of Birth Practitioners in Southeast Nigeria'. Religions, 10 (82):1-10 [DOI] [Details]
	(2017)	'PERSISTENT CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS ENCOUNTERED BY WOMEN ATTENDING FORMAL ANTENATAL CARE IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA' Ohaja, M;Murphy-Lawless, J (2017) 'PERSISTENT CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS ENCOUNTERED BY WOMEN ATTENDING FORMAL ANTENATAL CARE IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA'. African Journal Of Nursing And Midwifery, 19 (2):1-13 [DOI] [Details]
	(2017)	'Unilateral collaboration: The practices and understandings of traditional birth attendants in southeastern Nigeria' Ohaja M;Murphy-Lawless J; (2017) 'Unilateral collaboration: The practices and understandings of traditional birth attendants in southeastern Nigeria'. Women And Birth : Journal Of The Australian College Of Midwives, 30 (4):e165-e171 [DOI] [Details]
	(2014)	'Response to Uganda placement (June – December 2013)' Magdalena Ohaja (2014) 'Response to Uganda placement (June – December 2013)'. The Practising Midwife, [Details]
	(2014)	'The complexities of maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa' Ohaja M. and Murphy-Lawless J. (2014) 'The complexities of maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa'. Aims Journal, 26 (4) [Details]
	(2014)	'Safe motherhood initiative: what is next?' Ohaja M; (2014) 'Safe motherhood initiative: what is next?'. The Practising Midwife, 17 (6) [Details]
	(2013)	'Group marking and peer assessment during a group poster presentation: the experiences and views of midwifery students' Ohaja M;Dunlea M;Muldoon K; (2013) 'Group marking and peer assessment during a group poster presentation: the experiences and views of midwifery students'. Nurse Education In Practice, 13 (5):466-470 [DOI] [Details]
	(2012)	'Contestations around safe motherhood and safe motherhood initiatives' Magdalena Ohaja (2012) 'Contestations around safe motherhood and safe motherhood initiatives'. Essentially MIDIRS, 3 (6):32-36 [Details]
	(2010)	'Support for learning in the clinical area: the experiences of post-registration student midwives' Magdalena Ohaja (2010) 'Support for learning in the clinical area: the experiences of post-registration student midwives'. AISHE-J: The All Ireland Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 2 (1):14.1-14.14 [Details]

Book Chapters

	Year	Publication
	(2023)	'From Mastership to Active Management of Labor: The Culture of Irish Obstetrics and Obstetricians' Dunlea M., Hynan M., Murphy-Lawless J., Ohaja M., Stach M. and Webster J. (2023) 'From Mastership to Active Management of Labor: The Culture of Irish Obstetrics and Obstetricians' In: COGNITION, RISK, AND RESPONSIBILITY IN OBSTETRICS Anthropological Analyses and Critiques of Obstetricians Practices. :51-71 Oxford: Berghahn. [DOI] [Details]

Conference Publications

	Year	Publication
	(2023)	*`Back to Normal or Forward to Better? New Horizons in Healthcare. Trinity Health & Education International Research Conference* Ohaja M., Healy P., Dunlea M. and Clive A (2023) SMELTER Study: Student Midwives Experiences of Learning and TEaching during the coRona 19 pandemic `Back to Normal or Forward to Better? New Horizons in Healthcare. Trinity Health & Education International Research Conference [Details]
	(2022)	*The Global Health Network Conference* Senkyire.E.K.. Boateng D., Boakye F.O., Ohaja M. & Logo D.D. (2022) Socio-economic factors associated with adolescent pregnancy and motherhood: Analysis of the 2017 Ghana maternal health survey The Global Health Network Conference [Details]
	(2022)	*. 3rd African Scholars Association Ireland (AfSAI) Conference, Global disrruptions, innovations and transformations* Ohaja M, Senkyire E.K., Azuh D., Ewetan O., Asiedua E, White R., Dunlea M. and Barger M. (2022) Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Health in Africa: An Integrative Literature Review . 3rd African Scholars Association Ireland (AfSAI) Conference, Global disrruptions, innovations and transformations [Details]
	(2021)	*32nd ICM Triennial Congress Indonesia June 2021 (Virtual)* Ohaja M and Murphy-Lawless J (2021) Normal and/or safe childbirth: a southeast Nigerian perspective 32nd ICM Triennial Congress Indonesia June 2021 (Virtual) [Details]
	(2020)	*African Scholars Association Ireland (AfSAI) Online Conference* Ohaja M and Murphy-Lawless J (2020) The influence of `power-knowledge¿ on pregnancy and childbirth discourse in Nigeria African Scholars Association Ireland (AfSAI) Online Conference [Details]
	(2019)	*1st African Research Day Symposium, Technological University Dublin* Magdalena Ohaja (2019) The multiple meanings of safe motherhood 1st African Research Day Symposium, Technological University Dublin [Details]
	(2018)	*Old Tension, Emerging Paradoxes in Health: Rights, Knowledge and Trust,ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal* Ohaja M., Murphy-Lawless J. and Dunlea M (2018) Birth Space in Nigeria: a site of conflict Old Tension, Emerging Paradoxes in Health: Rights, Knowledge and Trust,ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal [Details]
	(2018)	*Spirituality at a Crossroads, School of Nursing and Midwifery Trinity College Dublin* Ohaja M., Murphy-Lawless J. and Dunlea M (2018) Spiritual and Religious Aspects of Pregnancy and Birth in Nigeria Spirituality at a Crossroads, School of Nursing and Midwifery Trinity College Dublin [Details]
	(2017)	*AHRC Risks of Childbirth in Historical Perspective Network. University of Leeds* Dunlea M, Murphy-Lawless J, Ohaja M. (2017) The nature and impact of risk discourse in the provision of antenatal: A literature review AHRC Risks of Childbirth in Historical Perspective Network. University of Leeds [Details]
	(2017)	*31st ICM Triennial Congress, Toronto Canada* Ohaja M. and Murphy-Lawless J. (2017) Safe Motherhood in Southeast Nigeria and Its Complexities 31st ICM Triennial Congress, Toronto Canada [Details]
	(2017)	*AHRC Risks of Childbirth in Historical Perspective Network. University of Brighton* Ohaja M., Murphy-Lawless J. and Dunlea M (2017) Cultural safety: construction of risk in the context of safe motherhood in Nigeria AHRC Risks of Childbirth in Historical Perspective Network. University of Brighton [Details]
	(2014)	*Optimising Childbirth Across Europe, Brussels* Magdalena Ohaja (2014) Socio-cultural aspects of safe/unsafe motherhood Optimising Childbirth Across Europe, Brussels [Details]
	(2014)	*30th ICM Triennial Prague Congress, Prague* Magdalena Ohaja (2014) The place of traditional births attendants within formal maternity care setting in South-east Nigeria: midwives' perspective 30th ICM Triennial Prague Congress, Prague [Details]
	(2014)	*Perception of Pregnancy from Medieval to 20th Century, Hartfield UK* Ohaja M (2014) Co-existing belief systems of pregnancy and birth in South-eastern Nigeria and their influence on women’s health-seeking behaviour Perception of Pregnancy from Medieval to 20th Century, Hartfield UK [Details]
	(2013)	*Reimagining Birth Symposium. Humanities Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland* Magdalena Ohaja (2013) Western obstetrics: implications for safe motherhood in the developing world Reimagining Birth Symposium. Humanities Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland [Details]
	(2013)	*14th Healthcare Interdisciplinary Research Conference Health, Wellbeing and Innovation: recent advances in research, practice and education, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin* Magdalena Ohaja (2013) Safe motherhood initiatives: who makes the decisions and for whose interest? 14th Healthcare Interdisciplinary Research Conference Health, Wellbeing and Innovation: recent advances in research, practice and education, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin [Details]
	(2012)	*13th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference - Doctoral Colloquium Session: Optimising Health in the 21st Century: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin* Magdalena Ohaja (2012) The applicability of the global safe motherhood initiative and the MDG-5 to developing world context 13th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference - Doctoral Colloquium Session: Optimising Health in the 21st Century: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin [Details]
	(2011)	*12th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference: Transforming Healthcare through Research and Education, School of Nursing and Midwifery Trinity College Dublin* Ohaja M. and Murphy-Lawless J. (2011) The place of feminists in hermeneutic phenomenology 12th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference: Transforming Healthcare through Research and Education, School of Nursing and Midwifery Trinity College Dublin [Details]
	(2011)	*12th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference: Transforming Healthcare through Research and Education School of Nursing and Midwifery Trinity College Dublin* Muldoon K., Dunlea M. and Ohaja M (2011) An exploratory study of midwifery students’ experience of the use of poster presentation for learning and assessment 12th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference: Transforming Healthcare through Research and Education School of Nursing and Midwifery Trinity College Dublin [Details]
	(2011)	*All Ireland Society for Higher Education (AISHE): The Challenge for Graduate in a Changed World. Dublin City University, Ireland* Dunlea M., Muldoon K. and Ohaja M (2011) Midwifery students’ experiences of group work when preparing and presenting a poster All Ireland Society for Higher Education (AISHE): The Challenge for Graduate in a Changed World. Dublin City University, Ireland [Details]
	(2007)	*8th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference: Transforming Healthcare through Research, Education and technology, School of Nursing and Midwifery Trinity College Dublin* Magdalena Ohaja (2007) Student midwives’ expectations and experiences of support for learning in the clinical area 8th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference: Transforming Healthcare through Research, Education and technology, School of Nursing and Midwifery Trinity College Dublin [Details]

Other Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2022)	'The case for water birth' Dunlea M., Webster J. & Ohaja M. (2022) 'The case for water birth' World of Irish Nursing: The Journal of Irish Nurses and Midwive Organisation, 30 (4) :48-49. [Details]

Conference Contributions

	Year	Publication
	(2024)	Creating a Community of Nursing & Midwifery Research, Gavin M., Ohaja M. and Linda Biesty L. (2024) Women¿s experiences of care providers¿ influence on decision-making for vaginal birth after caesarean section: A qualitative study. [Oral Presentation], Creating a Community of Nursing & Midwifery Research, Oranmore, Galway, Ireland , 23-OCT-24 - 23-OCT-24. [Details]
	(2024)	International Confederation of Midwives Europe Regional Conference Strengthening midwives and midwives¿ associations globally, Gavin M., Ohaja M. and Linda Biesty L. (2024) Women¿s experiences of care providers¿ influence on decision-making for vaginal birth after caesarean section: A qualitative study. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], International Confederation of Midwives Europe Regional Conference Strengthening midwives and midwives¿ associations globally, Berlin, Germany , 08-NOV-24 - 10-NOV-24. [Details]
	(2024)	All Ireland Annual Midwifery Conference: Sustainability: Midwifery birth and beyond, Ohaja M., Garvin M., and Linda Biesty L. (2024) Care Providers¿ influence on women¿s decision-making for vaginal birth after caesarean section: A qualitative study. [Poster Presentation], All Ireland Annual Midwifery Conference: Sustainability: Midwifery birth and beyond, Dundalk, Irealand , 21-NOV-24 - 21-NOV-24. [Details]
	(2024)	Creating a Community of Nursing & Midwifery Research, Gavin M., Ohaja M. and Linda Biesty L (2024) Women's experiences of care providers¿ influence on decision-making for vaginal birth after caesarean section: A qualitative study. [Poster Presentation], Creating a Community of Nursing & Midwifery Research, Oranmore, Galway, Ireland , 23-OCT-24 - 23-OCT-24. [Details]
	(2018)	Critical Perspectives on maternal Health in Africa,, Magdalena Ohaja (2018) The Impact of International Policies on Maternal Health in Africa, Critical Perspectives on maternal Health in Africa. [Invited Oral Presentation], Critical Perspectives on maternal Health in Africa,, Warwick Business School, The Shad, London, , 14-JUN-18 - 14-JUN-18. [Details]
	(2017)	THE PREGNANTARCHIVE: Materialising Conception to Birth, Magdalena Ohaja (2017) Material culture of ‘food’ during pregnancy in Nigeria’. [Invited Oral Presentation], THE PREGNANTARCHIVE: Materialising Conception to Birth, Birkbeck, University of London , 30-NOV-17 - 01-DEC-17. [Details]
	(2008)	Essence of Midwifery Care, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital Dublin, Magdalena Ohaja (2008) Student midwives’ expectations and experiences of support for learning in the clinical area. [Oral Presentation], Essence of Midwifery Care, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital Dublin, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital Dublin , 05-MAY-08 - 05-MAY-08. [Details]

Bulletin

	Year	Publication
	(2016)	Healthy Mother, Happy Family, In Mother’s Day Bulletin African Chaplaincy Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin. Magdalena Ohaja (2016) Healthy Mother, Happy Family, In Mother’s Day Bulletin African Chaplaincy Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin. Bulletin [Details]

Newspaper Articles

	Year	Publication
	(2018)	Readers' blog: Natural birth is not an 'elitist' philosophy, The Irish Examiner. Brady V., Clive A., Daly D., Dunlea M., Gallagher L., Hughes P., Kalu F., Newnham E., O'Boyle C., Ohaja M. & Webster J. (2018) Readers' blog: Natural birth is not an 'elitist' philosophy, The Irish Examiner. Newspaper Articles [Details]
	(2018)	'We need maternity care providers who respect women and who listen to women'.The Irish Times. Brady V., Clive A., Daly D., Dunlea M., Gallagher L, Hughes P., Kalu F., Newnham E., O'Boyle C., Ohaja M. & Webster J. (2018) 'We need maternity care providers who respect women and who listen to women'.The Irish Times. Newspaper Articles [Details]
	(2004)	Supporting New Mothers Irish Independent. Magdalena Ohaja (2004) Supporting New Mothers Irish Independent. Newspaper Articles [Details]

Teaching Interests

Magdalena teaches across undergraduate, higher diploma midwifery and Public health nurse programme in the classroom and skills lab settings. She is passionate about all aspects of midwifery, with particular interest in normal midwifery, ethnic minority women, and obstetric emergencies. She uses a variety of teaching methods, She is module lead for a number of modules, and Year 2 Lead for undergraduate midwifery programme.

Modules Taught

Term/Year	Module Title	Module Code	Subject / Desc
Year 1	Foundations for Midwifery Practice	NU1110	Bachelor of Midwifery Science
Year 3	Medicine and Clinical Practice	NU3105	Bachelor of Midwifery Science
Year 1	Adaptations to Childbirth & Midwifery Care	NU1122	Bachelor of Midwifery Science
Year 2	Supporting Women Experiencing Normal Childbirth	NU2208	Bachelor of Midwifery Science
Year 2	Promoting and Supporting Health and Wellbeing	NU2212	Bachelor of Midwifery Science
Year 2	Clinical Practice 3 & 4	NU2207	Bachelor of Midwifery Science
Year 3	Women with Complex Needs 1	NU3113	Bachelor of Midwifery Science
Year 3	Clinical Governance	NU3114	Bachelor of Midwifery Science
Year 3	Women with complex Needs 2	NU3115	Bachelor of Midwifery Science
Year 4	Leading and Developing Practice	NU405	Bachelor of Midwifery Science
Year 1	Anatomy and Physiology Applied to Midwifery	NU6553	Higher Diploma in Midwifery
Year 1	Normal Midwifery Care 1	NU7554	Higher Diploma in Midwifery
Year 1	Normal Midwifery Care 11	NU6555	Higher Diploma in Midwifery
Year 2	Women with Complications in Childbirth 1	NU6558	Higher Diploma in Midwifery
Year 1	Child Health Surveillance Welfare	NU6885	Public Health Nursing
Year 1	Anatomy, Physiology & Applied Skills for Midwifery Practice	NU1121	Bachelor of Midwifery Science