midwivesVictoria: "But whose art frames the questions?"

Saturday, August 23, 2008

"But whose art frames the questions?"

In light of the recent discussions around guidelines, I was reminded of Maggie Bank's article "But whose art frames the questions?".
Maggie writes:
Midwives need to be vigilant to ensure the defining of appropriate midwifery practice has not been colonized by obstetric thought. Any guiding must reflect the essential Midwifery Model of Care in the evidence amassed and the way in which it is applied. ...

http://www.birthspirit.co.nz/Articles/Articles/But%20whose%20art%20frames%20the%20questions.pdf

Whilst the discussion is centred around the NZ scene, it is applicable to our conditions also. Maggie's thoughts are well worth considering.

Regards,
Gaye

Gaye Demanuele

4 comments:

Lisa Barrett said...: I have trouble with the words midwifery led care. Any really good care has the woman in the centre. I see a big difference between midwifery led care and woman centred care.
I also think that even within the midwifery profession there are rules "guidelines" that separate the midwives from the mavericks. No working together for the greater good of women/birth but those who stand up and are counted with women and those who must obey because it makes them SAFER thus better.; August 23, 2008 at 10:15 AM
gaye demanuele said...: Lisa- My reading of Maggie's article leads me to believe that her point is in keeping with yours. I agree that "any really good care has the woman in the centre". Having attended Maggie's workshops, I am certain that Maggie would agree with that statement also. I take your point re: the language of 'midwifery led' care and I think there may be much confusion out there as to what it really means.
Regards, Gaye; August 23, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Brenda M said...: Lisa said:
"that separate the midwives from the mavericks. No working together for the greater good of women/birth but those who stand up and are counted with women and those who must obey because it makes them SAFER thus better".

I'm not sure I can really get my head around what you are meaning here.
Would you please re-frame it for me (no pun intended)?
The first part of your statement is quite clear to me.

Thanks Brenda; August 27, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Lisa Barrett said...: There are the midwives that are thought of as mavericks, they are mainly the midwives providing woman centred care.
There are the midwives who must obey the rules because that makes them not mavericks and thus safer and better.(In the eyes of the system)

The rules are to standarise practice, to stop people from using their initiative or deviating from the party line.
I feel the job of the college is to support midwives to give woman centred care and not to try and socialise midwives into intitutionalised care of any sort.; August 28, 2008 at 12:46 AM

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