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

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Wu, Maryalice Shao-Ping

Contributors dc:contributor

• Swicegood, C. Gray

• Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3160976

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/86208