title: Supervision: promoting birth as a normal physiological event.
abstract: In the 100 intervening years since statutory supervision was established, the fundamental cause to promote safe practice remains intact (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) 2004). However the evolving profile of supervision increasingly recognises its role in professional clinical leadership. This embraces the concept of birth as a 'normal physiological event'. Current government policy advocates the principle of'normal' birth. There exists a plethora of evidence to condemn the legacy of unnecessary medical intervention in the physiological process. The social recognition of the advantages of physiological childbirth is ever more acknowledged (Downe 2004; Walsh 2007). However, the paradox of medical domination still prevails. This situation augments the challenge for Supervisors of Midwives (SoMs) to provide proactive leadership and determine how to maintain the momentum towards 'normality' within this environment.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods*; D009321:Natural Childbirth / Q000451:nursing*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory; D009934:Organization and Administration; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult