Midwives in current debate and in the future

Abstract

This change has initiated a dispute about professional territory between doctors and midwives. Midwives have focused on independent practice and doctors on diminution of quality and safety if midwives are not under the supervision of a medical practitioner. This polarisation of the debate, as currently reflected in the media, is not beneficial for either the development of midwifery practice or for the future of maternity care. The deregulation of midwifery in Victoria has only eliminated the legal restrictions on midwives, giving them the same right as their other Australian colleagues to practise according to the international definition of a midwife'. This definition, which says among other things that midwives must be able to give necessary supervision, care and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct deliveries on their own responsibility and to care for the newborn and the infant is supported by the International Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The new Victorian code of practice does not specify the midwives' responsibilities in relation to the doctors, and it gives no recommendations regarding the organisation of maternity care. A more constructive approach to the sunsetting of the obsolete regulations would be to discuss the future organisation of maternity care in Australia, and how midwives can practise in a better and more effective way, considering that the well-being and safety of the woman and her baby is a goal shared by midwives and doctors.