Midwives ‘with woman’ in the private obstetric model: Where divergent philosophies meet

© 2018 Australian College of Midwives Background: The phenomenon of being ‘with woman’ is central to the profession of midwifery. There is currently no available evidence that explicitly explores this phenomenon. In Western Australia, over a third of childbearing women choose to engage the services...

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Main Authors: Bradfield, Zoe, Kelly, Michelle, Hauck, Yvonne, Duggan, Ravani
Format: Journal Article
Published: Elsevier BV 2018
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/72883
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author Bradfield, Zoe
Kelly, Michelle
Hauck, Yvonne
Duggan, Ravani
author_facet Bradfield, Zoe
Kelly, Michelle
Hauck, Yvonne
Duggan, Ravani
author_sort Bradfield, Zoe
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description © 2018 Australian College of Midwives Background: The phenomenon of being ‘with woman’ is central to the profession of midwifery. There is currently no available evidence that explicitly explores this phenomenon. In Western Australia, over a third of childbearing women choose to engage the services of a private obstetrician who provides antenatal care and manages the care provided by midwives during labour and birth. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore midwives’ experiences of being ‘with woman’ during labour and birth in the private obstetric model. Methods: Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, 11 midwives working in the private obstetric model in Western Australia were interviewed. Data analysis was conducted using Giorgi's framework. Findings: Two main themes emerged (1) triad of relationships and (2) the intersection between being ‘with woman’ and the private obstetric model; seven subthemes are reported. Discussion: Being ‘with woman’ is an important element of midwifery practice and fundamental to midwifery theory and philosophy. Relationships between the woman, midwife and obstetrician are key to implementing ‘with woman’ practices in the private obstetric model. The interrelatedness of midwifery philosophy and practice is revealed through shared common challenges and enablers to being ‘with woman’ from the perspective of midwives. Conclusion: Findings offer insight into midwives’ experiences of being ‘with woman’ within the context of the private obstetric model. New understandings are revealed of a phenomenon central to midwifery professional philosophy that is embedded within midwifery practices which has implications for service mangers, professional leaders and educators.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-728832018-12-13T09:33:49Z Midwives ‘with woman’ in the private obstetric model: Where divergent philosophies meet Bradfield, Zoe Kelly, Michelle Hauck, Yvonne Duggan, Ravani © 2018 Australian College of Midwives Background: The phenomenon of being ‘with woman’ is central to the profession of midwifery. There is currently no available evidence that explicitly explores this phenomenon. In Western Australia, over a third of childbearing women choose to engage the services of a private obstetrician who provides antenatal care and manages the care provided by midwives during labour and birth. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore midwives’ experiences of being ‘with woman’ during labour and birth in the private obstetric model. Methods: Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, 11 midwives working in the private obstetric model in Western Australia were interviewed. Data analysis was conducted using Giorgi's framework. Findings: Two main themes emerged (1) triad of relationships and (2) the intersection between being ‘with woman’ and the private obstetric model; seven subthemes are reported. Discussion: Being ‘with woman’ is an important element of midwifery practice and fundamental to midwifery theory and philosophy. Relationships between the woman, midwife and obstetrician are key to implementing ‘with woman’ practices in the private obstetric model. The interrelatedness of midwifery philosophy and practice is revealed through shared common challenges and enablers to being ‘with woman’ from the perspective of midwives. Conclusion: Findings offer insight into midwives’ experiences of being ‘with woman’ within the context of the private obstetric model. New understandings are revealed of a phenomenon central to midwifery professional philosophy that is embedded within midwifery practices which has implications for service mangers, professional leaders and educators. 2018 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/72883 10.1016/j.wombi.2018.07.013 Elsevier BV restricted
spellingShingle Bradfield, Zoe
Kelly, Michelle
Hauck, Yvonne
Duggan, Ravani
Midwives ‘with woman’ in the private obstetric model: Where divergent philosophies meet
title Midwives ‘with woman’ in the private obstetric model: Where divergent philosophies meet
title_full Midwives ‘with woman’ in the private obstetric model: Where divergent philosophies meet
title_fullStr Midwives ‘with woman’ in the private obstetric model: Where divergent philosophies meet
title_full_unstemmed Midwives ‘with woman’ in the private obstetric model: Where divergent philosophies meet
title_short Midwives ‘with woman’ in the private obstetric model: Where divergent philosophies meet
title_sort midwives ‘with woman’ in the private obstetric model: where divergent philosophies meet
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/72883