Abstract
This presentation will discuss the findings of research undertaken during a PhD candidature. The aim of the research was to explore midwifery practice during birth. A narrative approach was taken, and birth stories were gathered from mothers and midwives during in-depth interviews. The participants had either experienced or attended an uncomplicated vaginal birth, and were encouraged to share their story of this experience. Ten mothers and ten midwives were interviewed, and their experiences included a range of birth settings - public hospital, private hospital and home. Narratives were created from the interview transcripts and analysed to identify common themes. Van Gennep's [1] theory of 'rites of passage' was applied as an explanatory framework to further illuminate the narrative of midwifery practice during birth. The key findings centre on women's experience of birth as a rite of passage and midwifery practice as ritual companionship. Midwives enacted 'rites of passage' that were aligned with women's experience of birth. These rites augmented the transformative and empowering nature of the birth experience. The cultural values reflected by these rites were aligned with the international midwifery philosophy of care whereby the woman is central, and is an expert regarding her own body, baby and birth. Midwives also enacted 'rites of protection' which contradicted rites of passage and reflected technocratic cultural values. By untangling rites of protection from rites of passage I have been able to explore the complex interactions, synergies and conflicts between different types of ritual within midwifery practice. Recommendations for midwifery practice, midwifery education and further research arising from these findings will be presented.