Abstract
Pregnancy, birth and parenthood represent a unique and powerful journey for a woman, a journey that affects her for ever. She experiences many physical, social and emotional challenges as her relationship with her partner and her status within her family and social context change. The Winterton report (House of Commons Health Committee 1992) challenged the pattern of maternity service provision based on a medical model of care. The report stated:
that becoming a mother is not an illness… it is the mother who gives birth and who will have the lifelong commitment which motherhood brings. She is the most active participant in the birth process. (v)
In order to be an active participant, the woman needs to enter into an active partnership with the health professionals who care for her. The midwife is therefore in an ideal position to work with women throughout their journey towards motherhood, encouraging them to trust their instincts and abilities, enabling them to feel empowered and confident. Achieving empowerment in practice is not easy and may require a major reappraisal of the midwife’s style of working, her perceptions of her own power and her relationship with the women in her care.
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© 2000 Macmillan Publishers Limited
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Fletcher, G., Buggins, E. (2000). Empowerment — a gift bestowed or withheld?. In: Alexander, J., Roth, C., Levy, V. (eds) Midwifery Practice: Core Topics 3. Midwifery Practice. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-15038-0_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-15038-0_8
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