Abstract
Background
The ‘medical model’ of maternity care is based on a technocratic and patriarchal world view. The underlying philosophy is the assumption that pregnancy and birth are pathological conditions that need to be monitored and medically managed. The ‘midwifery model’ and its philosophy share the ideology that birth is a physiological process that most women can achieve without intervention. Recognising the differences between the different ideologies and philosophies is essential to understanding the way in which maternity care is provided to women. Childbirth practices throughout the world have continued to change, contributing to a move from midwifery-led care at home to doctor-led care in the hospital. Privately Practising Midwives (PPM) are considered a relatively new concept; however, until the early twentieth century, birth in Australia generally occurred at home with a midwife in attendance.
Objectives
This study discusses the experiences, social pressures, values and attitudes of PPMs in WA.
Methods
A naturalistic, feminist paradigm analysed and described the experiences of PPMs in WA. The qualitative analysis drew upon data from interviews with currently practising or retired PPMs.
Results
Analysis revealed themes and their sub themes. ‘Trusting women and birth is central to our Midwifery Philosophy’ and subthemes: ‘Medicalisation of birth’ and ‘Midwives use of intuition and the concept of authoritative knowledge’ describing how central to midwives’ experiences was the midwives trust in women’s ability to birth and their trust in the birth process.
Conclusions
Central to midwives’ experiences of providing community-based midwifery care was the midwives trust in women’s ability to birth and their trust in birth.
