NM Practice Settings

In this discussion I would like you to explore the various types of practice setting that midwives may practice in.
1. Home birth
2. Free standing Birth Center
3. Low risk in hospital setting.
4. Tertiary care/ high risk setting

Reflect on how midwifery practice is shaped by the setting.
Reflect on the relationship between midwife and community.
What is the midwife's role in promoting the "normalcy of birth" especially in challenging environments?
I look forward to your thoughts.
Deb

Theoretical Framework for Practice

I was never much on theoretical anything. I worked in a solo practice (just me) in a community where I was the only female provider as well as the only midwife for 50 miles. I thrived on the rush that participating in the miracle of birth provided that I just didn't give the why and how of my practice much thought. It just seemed to make sense...the process worked the way it was designed. It was only after 10 years or so and working along side many MDs and nurses who didn't view birth the way I did that I began to think there might be some basis or foundation other than my own thoughts and feelings for midwifery practice.

There has long been a debate about the relationship between feminist theory/feminism and midwifery. Bill McCool addressed this in the late 80's with his classic article. Cragin did an anlysis of three different theories of midwifery practice. Theory development in midwifery practice is still evolving.

Share you thoughts on these three questions:
1. What are your general thoughts and relfections on the three framework models in the Cragin article?
2.How is feminist theory consistent or not consistent with nurse-midwifery practice?
3. Is it even important to have a theoretical basis for practice? Why or why not?