Midwifery Care Through Labor and Essay

1996, p. 165). A study which questions the formal medical model of birth and suggests the important and often neglected role of the midwife is, Complicated pregnancy? find a midwife ( 2005). The study refers to a recent Swedish study published in the Journal of Perinatal Education which deals with the theory of midwifery care. Key aspects of this model include "…protection of a woman's individuality, promotion of a deep-rooted knowledge of childbirth, and support for a balance of the natural and medical perspectives" ( Star, 2005, p.23), the researchers determined that "…both normal and high-risk pregnancies benefit from midwifery care" ( Star, 2005, p.23)

If we take the theoretical trajectory suggested by the above articles and relate it studies of requests for cesarean section, we find some interesting results. In a study entitled Elective Cesarean Section and Decision Making: A Critical Review of the Literature (2007) it was found that "Women's preference for a cesarean section ( is) related to psychological factors, perceptions of safety, or in some countries, was influenced by cultural or social factors" (McCourt et al., 2007, p. 65). Furthermore, McCourt et al. found that Research between 2000 and 2005 shows evidence that women who requested cesarean section did so because of a "…range of personal and societal reasons, including fear of birth and perceived inequality and inadequacy of care, underpinned these requests" (McCourt et al., 2007, p. 65).

What this finding and others from the literature suggest is that caesarian section if often requested as a result of fear, insecurity and perception of safety. If we take into account that modern studies on midwifery finds that factors such as fear are in effect reduced by the intervention of the midwife, this strongly suggests that midwifery may be instrumental in reducing the number and complications and dangers of childbirth

In addition, there is also the theory put forward by some advocates of midwifery that modern childbirth and labor is dominated by paternalistic male views and neglects the more intuitive view of healthcare praxis.This would also tend to suggest that complications such as cesarean section could be reduced by the midwife in terms of a more holistic and caring perspective. It is also argued by some exponents of midwifery that "…convenience contributes to high cesarean rates… Doctors are described as preferring to perform elective cesareans for "convenience in scheduling" (Lee and Kirkman, 2008, p. 456)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the contemporary theoretical approach to nursing and healthcare praxis tends to emphasize a more inclusive and holistic view of medical care. This view is strongly supported by theories of modern midwifery, which focus on an intimate and caring approach. If we translate this theory into practice we find that in a number of studies there are strong indications that midwifery can be effective in reducing stress and fear as well as other complicating factors in labor and birth. There are also studies that suggest that midwifery can reduce the necessity for cesarean section.

References

Castlenovo G. Mary Breckinridge (1881-1965). Retrieved from http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/press/pioneers/breckinridge.html

Lee a. And Kirkman M. ( 2008) Disciplinary Discourses: Rates of Cesarean

Section Explained by Medicine, Midwifery, and Feminism. Melbourne Health Care for Women International, 29, pp.448 -- 467.

Harvey S. et al. ( 1966) Randomized, Controlled Trial of Nurse-Midwifery Care

Midwifery, 12(4), pp.65-73.

McCourt C. Et al. ( 2007) Elective Cesarean Section and Decision Making: A Critical

Review of the Literature. BIRTH, 34(1).

Nurse-Midwifery in the United States and Its 1940s Expansion: Early Twentieth Century

Origins: Frontier Nursing Service and Maternity Center Association. Retrieved September 1, 2009, from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/452738_2

Seaton Helen J. (2006) Mapping the literature of nurse-midwifery. J Med Libr Assoc.

94(2 Suppl.). Retrieved from http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1463041….....