ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces research focusing on midwives supporting and facilitating alternative physiological birth choices, often referred to as ‘out of guidelines’ birth choices. While these decisions should be upheld in line with human rights legislation, and moral and ethical professional practices, tensions and challenges exist. Many birthing women and people have reported obstacles and opposition to accessing care to support these types of decisions. Therefore, it was important to capture the views and experiences of midwives who are willing to support alternative physiological birth choices, as conducted in this study. This chapter sets the scene for the research, first, exploring birth as a biopsychosocial-cultural event with different layers of meaning, leading to an examination of tensions and conflicts for the midwifery profession and normal physiological birth. Contextual evidence will be shared, including the international evidence in favour of physiological birth, issues relating to maternal autonomy and differences in midwifery practices. Finally, the chapter provides information regarding the study, introducing the participants – NHS-employed midwives from across the UK.
