Abstract
Objectives
to explore the way that case-loading midwives in New Zealand construct midwifery (and in so doing, the concepts of woman and childbirth). This paper illuminates the fundamental features of this construction (continuity and woman-centred care) and discusses this with regard to the role of midwives vis-à-vis normal/abnormal birth.
Design
semi-structured interviews and official publications constituted the ‘text’ which was analysed using a poststructural approach that was informed by theorists Foucault, Grosz and Braidotti.
Participants and setting
48 case-loading midwives practising throughout New Zealand participated in this study. These included facility-employed and self-employed midwives and those from rural and urban settings.
Findings
many midwives follow women through their maternity experience providing continuity of care regardless of whether the experience is considered ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’.
Key conclusions
continuity and woman-centred care are fundamental features of the construction of midwifery in New Zealand.
Implications for practice
a focus on the midwifery concept of ‘with woman’ can bridge the divide between the polarising concepts ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ and enable a more fluid and dynamic reading of midwifery.
to explore the way that case-loading midwives in New Zealand construct midwifery (and in so doing, the concepts of woman and childbirth). This paper illuminates the fundamental features of this construction (continuity and woman-centred care) and discusses this with regard to the role of midwives vis-à-vis normal/abnormal birth.
Design
semi-structured interviews and official publications constituted the ‘text’ which was analysed using a poststructural approach that was informed by theorists Foucault, Grosz and Braidotti.
Participants and setting
48 case-loading midwives practising throughout New Zealand participated in this study. These included facility-employed and self-employed midwives and those from rural and urban settings.
Findings
many midwives follow women through their maternity experience providing continuity of care regardless of whether the experience is considered ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’.
Key conclusions
continuity and woman-centred care are fundamental features of the construction of midwifery in New Zealand.
Implications for practice
a focus on the midwifery concept of ‘with woman’ can bridge the divide between the polarising concepts ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ and enable a more fluid and dynamic reading of midwifery.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 46-52 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Midwifery |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |