Women and midwives in partnership: a problematic relationship?

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Midwifery Practice
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Midwives in New Zealand have practiced independently since 1990.
• Their practice is founded on the principle of partnership.
• This study investigates potential discrepancies between midwife and client beliefs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the alignment of beliefs between midwives and clients in New Zealand.
• To identify areas of contradiction in midwifery practice.
• To provide recommendations for enhancing midwifery practice and client-centered care.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research approach.
• Collection of verbatim data from study participants.
• Analysis of midwife and client perspectives on practice, knowledge, and experience.

Main Results:

• Identified significant contradictions between midwife and client beliefs.
• Key areas of divergence include the nature of midwifery work, knowledge required for practice, and reflections on experiences.
• Participant verbatim data illustrates these discrepancies.

Conclusions:

• Midwifery practice in New Zealand may not always align with client expectations or beliefs.
• Recommendations include increasing midwife visibility, challenging hegemonic structures, valuing diverse knowledge forms, and respecting client knowledge.
• Enhancing partnership requires greater awareness and integration of client perspectives.