Abstract
Semi-structured interviews were conducted to clarify the attitudes of midwives
working in birth centers in Great Britain. Six midwives participated in the study. The
collected data were categorised and analysed qualitatively and inductively.
The participants believed that ‘midwives were necessary for births in Great Britain’. Their
views about midwifery included the following: ‘midwives’ thoughts on birthing primarily
focus on the women’ and ‘midwives protect natural birthing’. Furthermore, as midwives, they
embraced the following beliefs: ‘to protect natural birthing, it should be considered separate
from medical care’; ‘the guidelines can be followed in various ways, but midwives should
work towards a birth that respects the woman’s beliefs’; ‘midwives have the skills required
for maternity care’; and ‘I want to be involved in facilitating natural births’.
Great Britain’s midwifery education is believed to bolster dedication of midwives ;
furthermore, governmental support through the establishment of maternity policies and the
clear positioning of midwives and women giving birth within national maternity policies is
also encouraging.
