Two parts of an indivisible whole - Midwifery education and feminism: An exploratory study of 1st year students' immersion into midwifery

Abstract

BackgroundEmancipation and self-determination are critical elements of midwifery care and therefore should be explicit in midwifery education. If not, the woman-centred midwife with her trust in women and birth may become a thing of the past, and the patriarchal, technocratic medical model of maternity care, with its trust in machines and misguided interventions will continue to dominate childbearing practices. The optimal time for exposure to feminist principles within the midwifery educational journey, however, is unknown, despite recognition that teaching feminist theory and related concepts positively impacts the way students value women-centredness in midwifery practice. ObjectiveTo understand midwifery student's perspectives of assimilating feminist theory and midwifery philosophy. DesignA qualitative approach using reflective journals was used to explore student midwives understanding of midwifery as a feminist profession. SettingOne regional Australian University that teaches midwifery at two campuses, one of which straddles a state border. ParticipantsFirst session, first-year midwifery students undertaking a unit of study focusing on “what is midwifery” and how at its core, midwifery is a feminist emancipatory political discipline. MethodsData from weekly reflective journals were analysed to produce themes. FindingsThree themes were identified ‘Midwifery: Past and Present’, ‘What is this ‘F’ word? – feminism revisited’, and ‘Midwifery-feminism dyads’. These themes demonstrated transformative learning had occurred as participants appeared to value understanding feminism as the essence of midwifery philosophy early in their midwifery studies. ConclusionStudents embarking on their journey appear to value assimilation of feminist theory as a core tenet of midwifery philosophy. Feminist principles, particularly the protection of women's rights to informed choice, trusted relationships, dignity, and control throughout their childbearing journey appear to illustrate the emancipatory nature, and importance of, truly ‘woman-centred, partnership-based midwifery care’. Recommendations for practice and further researchWhilst the findings of this study relate to midwifery students, the findings point to a need to explore ways to strengthen midwives' assimilation with feminist theory, and their ability to promote feminism and provide woman-centred, partnership-based approaches.