Prevention of infant mortality An agenda for nurse-midwifery

Integration of Midwives into the Quebec Health Care System

“…Despite certain differences in points of view, these midwives largely shared a common philosophy compatible with that described in the midwifery literature. [7][8][9][10][11][12] Moreover, many midwives, especially among those from Quebec, had never worked as midwives within an institutional setting involving contact with other professional groups. These midwives had a history of marginal practice and a culture favouring alternative and community care.…”

“…The midwives' philosophy, as formulated in many documents, rests on the conviction that pregnancy is a natural and non-pathological process; midwives favour a comprehensive approach to expectant women, emphasizing preventive and qualitative dimensions of care and encouraging the participation of women and their spouses. [7][8][9][10][11][12] According to midwives, their philosophy opposes the currently dominant approach in obstetrics. Introducing midwives also raises the delicate issues of sharing professional territories and defining the respective roles of the different maternity care providers.…”