[ozmidwifery] Midwives are under attack in many different countries

[Sally Westbury]

http://www.sheilakitzinger.com/Birthaction.htm Midwives are under attack in many different countries They often feel very isolated and have no political support groups. Sometimes their colleagues have been cowed by years of institutional bullying and feel unable to offer support. Many midwives are concerned with using their skills to serve mothers and babies but are not interested in the politics of midwifery. Prosecutions often concern midwives who do not tow the line and who assist at home birth and try to help women give birth physiologically. It looks as if independent midwives who challenge the medical establishment are at risk. What are the implications of these cases for midwifery and for women's experiences of birth? Midwives are at risk of losing self-confidence when they work independently or take professional initiative. At worst, they will only be safe when they function within an institutional bureaucratic system, keep their place in the hierarchy, and cover themselves legally every step of the way. They will be under pressure to do all investigations possible, intervene early, and let obstetricians make the major decisions. Then they cannot be found responsible. They will warn women that home birth is dangerous and refuse to attend those who do not come into the hospital. If midwives start to work in this way midwifery will be destroyed. In its place we shall have obstetric nurses. The painful conflict that has continued for so long in North America has now come to Europe. In spite of all the rhetoric of Changing Childbirth and talk about woman-centered care we are faced with a challenge to midwifery and also to women's right to give birth in their own way, in their own time, and in their own place.   Sally Westbury   "It takes courage to remain a true advocate for women, challenging authority and sacrificing social and professional acceptance. It takes courage for a woman to choose a caregiver who will truly advocate for and empower her."    -Judy Slome Cohain -----Original Message----- From: owner-[EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:owner-[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Mary Murphy Sent: Sunday, 13 June 2004 7:43 PM To: list Subject: [ozmidwifery] thought for the day   Thought for the Day: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."  Ralph Waldo Emerson