Should midwifery really be a speciality or extension of nursing?

  • Lilian Paramor

Abstract

In South Africa, once upon a long time ago, midwifery was a separate discipline. Even today, there are many older midwives and nurses who remember the ‘green epaulette’ brigade. When these midwives are spoken about, it is mostly with respect and even a modicum of reverence. I should know, because my own grandmother was such a midwife in the Eastern Cape, fondly known as Nurse Dominy by the many families she assisted as they started or grew their brood. The road to lumping nursing and midwifery into one profession under one Council is on the one hand an interesting slice of health sector history, and on the other a difficult narrative to follow for those less enamoured of policies, politics and professional posturing. However, that is not the main emphasis of this article; instead, it is to look at how nursing and midwifery differ, and to postulate the potentially positive implications of ensuring the independence of this vocation.

Author Biography

Lilian Paramor
Founder of Sensitive Midwifery Symposium, Magazine and Academy; and Director Sister Lilian Centre
Published
2016-08-05
Section
Midwifery