UURIMISTÖÖDE ARTIKLID
ÄMMAEMANDA ROLLI JA PÄDEVUSE MUUTUMINE AJAS NING SELLE TAJUMINE ÄMMAEMANDATE POOLT The changing role and competency of the midwife and midwives’ perceptions of it Evelin Limberg, Siiri Põllumaa
Abstract Although the physical process of childbirth has not changed much, the obstetrics has changed a lot. In modern society, the development of science and technology has changed the values and standards of the childbirth process. Since the cultural patterns of childbirth are becoming more scientific, the role of the midwife is also changing (Walker 1972, Allotey 2009). The aim of this study was to describe the changing role and competency of the midwife and midwives’ perceptions of it. This is an empirical qualitative study and the data was collected with semistructured interviews in November 2016. Convenience sampling was used to collect the data, the participants involved seven midwives from Tallinn, Tartu, Põlva and Pärnu. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and qualitatively analysed. It appeared that based on midwives’ experiences, in the course of time midwifery has become more independent and midwives have become autonomous experts. It also appeared that based on midwives’ experiences, counselling has become a great part of midwives’ everyday work. Keywords: midwifery, history, role, competency, perceptions 202
