Women's Health and Social Change: The Case of Lay Midwives

Abstract

One reaction to the medicalization of birth has been the comeback of lay midwives in the past 10 years. While many practice alone as did midwives 80 years ago, now midwives are networking and organizing in regional and statewide groups, an important new distinction in the light of increasing regulatory policy formation by many states. Are these groups the beginnings of traditional bureaucratic health professional organizations or are they better described as alternative women's health groups that espouse nonhierarchical philosophies of women's health? In this article, we describe an empirical study of one such group, the Michigan Midwives' Association, and explore the philosophies and practices of individual members as well as the internal organization of the group and its influence on members. Data were collected using individual telephone interviews with 48 of 50 members, group newsletters and documents, and two spokespersons who developed an oral history of the Association since its origin in 1978. Results suggest that the group plays an important role in reinforcing individually held philosophies about women-controlled birth and in providing social support to health workers practicing outside the traditional system.

Delivering the ‘new’ Canadian midwifery: the impact on midwifery of integration into the Ontario health care system

“…The woman and her family were the central focus (Barrington 1985, Kay et al 1988, Rushing 1993. They would make the decisions not only about where but how their baby was to be born.…”

“…The philosophy of the`new' midwifery In line with the philosophy of the Home Birth Movement from which it arose, the essence of this new midwifery practice was not to create another childbirth authority, but to put control over the birthing process back in the hands of the woman giving birth (Rothman 1982, Sullivan andWeitz 1988). The woman and her family were the central focus (Barrington 1985, Kay et al 1988, Rushing 1993. They would make the decisions not only about where but how their baby was to be born.…”

Diversity in Midwifery Care: Working toward Social Justice

“…Advocacy has always been a central part of midwives’ roles (Bourgeault ; Kay et al ). Through challenging the dominant medicalized norms of birthing, working with women as equal partners in their care, and supporting women's varied choices, advocacy continues to be a key aspect of the midwifery model of care.…”

“…The legislated model of care, includes access to home and hospital birth, continuity of care, and informed choice for women. The College of Midwives of Ontario of Ontario () philosophy of care views “childbirth as a normal physiological process and a profound event in a woman's life.” The model and philosophy of care reflect what was unique about community midwifery in Ontario (Bourgeault ; Eberts et al ), particularly its emphasis on pregnancy and birth as normal processes when compared to routinized medical care of birthing women (Kay et al ). Women's access to midwifery care has certainly increased: midwives attended 5,033 births in 1999/2000 (Association of Ontario Midwives ) and 16,467 births in 2011/2012 (College of Midwives of Ontario ).…”