A Comparison of Certified Nurse-Midwives in Two Locations: The Freestanding Birth Center and the Hospital

Wu, Maryalice Shao-Ping

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/86208 Copy

Description

Title

A Comparison of Certified Nurse-Midwives in Two Locations: The Freestanding Birth Center and the Hospital

Author(s)

Wu, Maryalice Shao-Ping

Issue Date

2004

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Swicegood, C. Gray

Department of Study

Sociology

Discipline

Sociology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Language

eng

Abstract

The analyses of the birth certificate data show that all medical procedures have a higher likelihood of being used in hospitals than in FSBCs. Despite these significant differences in the use of medical technology across work location, the insights garnered from the interviews imply that midwives have a common childbirth philosophy no matter what their work location and that the divergent practices in the hospital and the FSBC are therefore linked to the different work environments. The interviews also indicate that midwives share some common national/state and community social constraints; although there are also some unique challenges directly affecting the practice of midwifery in free standing birth centers versus hospital environments. For example, CNMs in hospitals may find it difficult to act as advocates for their clients because they work in an environment inundated by a medical approach to childbirth. However, midwives in FSBCs struggle to find and utilize backup services from physicians and hospitals.

Graduation Semester

2004

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/86208

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