Mainstreaming Midwives Book

This book describes the development of direct-entry midwifery in the United States. The first three chapters review the history, purposes, complexities, and the political strife that has characterized the evolution of midwifery in America. The chapters in Part 2 constitute case studies of the efforts of direct-entry midwives to achieve legalization and licensure in six states; Florida, Michigan, Iowa, Virginia, Colorado, and Massachusetts with varying degrees of success. Part 3 addresses core issues in mainstreaming midwives, including the tensions between the social activist midwifery movement and midwives' professionalization projects, "renegade" midwives who practice outside of state protocols, and home-to-hospital transport. The Conclusion describes the barriers to the growth and prospering of American midwifery and efforts to overcome them, and focuses deeply on "why midwives matter" to American birthgiving women and why midwives should be the primary caregivers in this country for pregnancy and birth.Read More