One-to-one midwifery practice part 2: the transition period

Abstract

Drawing from the ethnographic part of the evaluation of case load midwifery (McCourt and Page, 1996), this paper explores the adaptations and changes that were demanded from the responding midwives when they first held an individual case load. The participants reported that they needed time and experience to develop appropriate skills and approaches to the work. Some of the adaptations were obvious and expected, for example the movement away from an institutional setting and the requirement to develop skills in all areas of midwifery. Others, such as the importance of handling relationships with women (including ‘educating women’ as to reasonable expectations, and ‘defining boundaries’), and of developing a flexible attitude to time and time management skills, became apparent over time.