The role of the registered midwife

Abstract

What is specific about the role of the registered midwife, is that it is not specific. How could it be specific when: • every mother is unique • every labour is unparalleled • every baby is different • every situation is singular? Role descriptions differ because: • practitioner views do not coincide • authors disagree • time moves on • needs, statistics and values change. Roles are dynamic because: • technology demands increased intellectual and psychomotor development • humaneness demands affective and effective co-ordination of care • mortality and morbidity rates demand reduction • money, status and power demand quality.