The midwife as healer.
In ancient times the midwife was often also a healer, serving communities and women and passing knowledge and insights from woman to woman, mother to daughter. Much of this knowledge has been 'lost' or 'forgotten' due to the witch hunts of the Middle Ages and the discrediting of women's knowledge as scientific rationality emerged. There is evidence now that midwives are exploring alternative knowledge in their rejection of the medical model of care and in their quest to provide enhanced and holistic women-centred care. The three areas highlighted--utilization of complementary therapies, exploration of spirituality and the examination of the nature of the mother--midwife relationship--represent exciting evidence that the midwife is beginning to re-embrace the role of healer.
Garratt
R A
RA
De Montfort University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Scraptoft, Leicester, UK. rgarratt@dmu.ac.uk
D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018939:Holistic Nursing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D024382:Professional Role; D029181:Spirituality