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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 "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 Yahoo! Groups Links
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