Midwifery as a discipline

Recent developments within midwifery necessitate an examination of whether midwifery qualifies as a discipline as well as a profession. A discipline is a formalized branch of knowledge and is different from, although related to, a profession of the same name. The author contends that the discipline of midwifery is undeveloped at present but that the time is right for explicit discussion about what defines the discipline of midwifery.