The Struggle for Professional Control of Childbirth New Zealand: A History of Midwifery Regulation

Abstract

Who controls childbirth is a contentious and political issue. Over the centuries, doctors and midwives have competed for this control. In New Zealand, the role of midwives as maternity providers has fluctuated. They have worked both in competition and conjunction with obstetric doctors. This paper examines the midwifery-obstetric conflict. To fully understand the depth of the conflict, a brief history of midwifery and obstetrics in Europe and the United Kingdom will be discussed. Moving to New Zealand, the paper tracks the conflict through midwifery regulation. This paper will examine the role of midwives in their social context and discusses factors for various legislative changes. Lastly, it will look at the effect of the Nurses Amendment Act 1990 on maternity care in New Zealand today, discussing the need to better incorporate a Māori perspective and establish effective communication between midwives and obstetricians.