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An exploration of midwifery practice during birth: rites of passage
Conference presentation   Open access

An exploration of midwifery practice during birth: rites of passage

Rachel Reed
USC Research Conference, 2011 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 18-Jul-2011–21-Jul-2011)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2011
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Abstract

Nursing midwives
This presentation will discuss the findings of qualitative research undertaken during a PhD candidature. The aim of the research was to explore women'sexperience of birth, and midwifery practice during birth.Many routine practices carried out during birth are not evidence based.The study aimed to identify common practices, the rationale for their use,and the infl uence on women's experience of birth.A narrative approach was taken and birth stories were gathered frommothers and midwives during in-depth interviews. The participants hadeither experienced or attended a spontaneous vaginal birth, and wereencouraged to share their story of this experience. Ten mothers and tenmidwives were interviewed and their experiences included a range ofbirth settings - public hospital, private hospital and home. Narrativeswere created from the interview transcripts and analysed to identifythemes.The key fi ndings centre on the experience of birth as a liminal journeyduring which mothers have specifi c needs. Rites of passage and rites ofprotection are enacted by midwives during this journey. Rites of passageinvolve practices that build self trust and prepare the woman for her roleas mother. Rites of protection involve practices aimed at assessing thebirth journey and the wellbeing of mother and baby. The rites of passageand the rites of protection can confl ict and infl uence the experience ofbirth for mothers.

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