Midwives' experiences of facilitating normal birth in an obstetric-led unit: a feminist perspective.

OBJECTIVE

to explore midwives' experiences of facilitating normal birth in an obstetric-led unit.

DESIGN

a feminist approach using semi-structured interviews focusing on midwives' perceptions of normal birth and their ability to facilitate this birth option in an obstetric-led unit.

SETTING

Ireland.

PARTICIPATION

a purposeful sample of 10 midwives with 6-30 years of midwifery experience. All participants had worked for a minimum of 6 years in a labour ward setting, and had been in their current setting for the previous 2 years.

FINDINGS

the midwives' narratives related to the following four concepts of patriarchy: 'hierarchical thinking', 'power and prestige', 'a logic of domination' and 'either/or thinking' (dualisms). Two themes, 'hierarchical thinking' and 'either/or thinking', (dualisms) along with their subthemes are presented in this paper.

KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

this study identified some of the reasons why midwives find it difficult to facilitate normal birth in an obstetric unit setting, and identified a need for further research in this area. Midwifery education and supportive management structures are required if midwives are to become confident practitioners of normal birth.