Mothers and Midwives - The Ethical Journey by Faye Thompson

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Published November 2003 in the UK;· Paperback; 196 Pages; 1 Illustration; 24.5 x 19 cms.

Index to this page:

Table of Contents; About the Author; Book Reviews

Table of Contents:

Foreword by Mavis Kirkham; Acknowledgements; Glossary of terms and context of analysis; Glossary of terms; Context of the analysis; Introduction ; References

CHAPTER 1: The need for a midwifery ethic of practice (p.5): The metaphor; Looking for the pool of ethics: a personal journey; Ways of seeing: ways of acting; The social construction of our world; The nature of 'practice'; References
CHAPTER 2: On the sealed highway - mainstream ethics, medicalisation and midwifery (p.11): The nature of midwifery practice; The influence of moral philosophy, and nursing ethics; Moral philosophy and mainstream ethical frameworks available to midwives; Why midwives would be turning to ainstream ethical frameworks; Summary; References
CHAPTER 3: The false trail - a critique of bioethics and the problem-solving approach for midwifery ethics(p.25): Bioethics - its development and critics (the pool of ethics); Casuistry and context Quandary or dilemma-based ethics; Contextualism; A critique of the normative, dilemmic/problem-solving approach of bioethics for midwifery; When the situation is stripped of context; When the subject is depersonalised; The abstract nature of principles; What is ethically 'good'?; Prior ethical practice, character, virtues and relationships; Summary; References
CHAPTER 4: Midwifery's detour through nursing ethics - a critique of professional codes and influences that shape the midwifery ethics discourse (p.41): Traditions of a professional practice, institutionalisation, and application of a code - a critique of ethical codes; Perceived strengths of codes
Perceived weaknesses of codes; How ethical discourse in midwifery is shaped; Educational curricula and their ethical orientation; The workplace setting and institutional influence; Text books, journals and conference presentations: their ethical orientation
CHAPTER 5: Off the beaten track - feminist virtue ethics and midwifery (p.59): Values and assumptions of feminist theory - epistemology and ontology; A feminist approach to ethics in midwifery; Virtue Ethics - context, character and relationship; Narratives, identity and traditions; The public and private
Privilege; Difference; Normal/Abnormal - The impact of linguistics; Metaphors in childbirth reveal practice orientation; Summary; References
CHAPTER 6: A conducted tour or independent travel? examining underlying assumptions and values (p.75): Owners of the original knowledge; Profiles of those women telling their experiences; The informant-researcher relationship; Constructing consensual meanings; Mothers' and midwives' shared values; Power in relationships; Power 'over' - exploitative, manipulative; Power 'for' - nutritive; Power 'with' - integrative; Summary; References
CHAPTER 7: Facing obstacles along the way - mothers' and midwives' narratives of unethical childbirth practices (p.85): Institutional dominance; Paternalism; Lack of self-determination; Fear, Safety, Mortality-Morbidity (negativity of attitude); Unsupportive of the woman; Procedure-oriented approach; 'system workers'; Values conflict; Workplace/service provider versus personal/professional midwifery ethics; Not valuing individuals; Emotions/feelings; Summary; References
CHAPTER 8: Going to a comfortable place - the ethical voice of mothers and midwives (p.101): 'Being with' woman; Values-Virtues; Supporting the woman; Knowing the woman; Woman's comfort: security, 'safe' for the woman; Ways of seeing; Metaphors used by mothers and midwives; Personal transformation; Summary; References
CHAPTER 9: Checking our course - values and philosophical foundations of the midwifery profession (p.131): The philosophy and theory behind midwifery practice; Ways of knowing: midwifery's epistemology; Ethical theories and principles 'incorporated'; Ways of seeing and construction: orientation; Practitioner definitions of midwifery practice; Practitioner identified philosophy of midwifery practice: values and beliefs; Summary; References
CHAPTER 10: Plotting our practice - values and philosophical foundations of the birthing environment (p.147): The power of language; Birth language; A concept analysis of normal labour; Practice decisions and conflict between work place and personal/professional ethics; The midwifery relationship
Summary; References
CHAPTER 11: The discourse of other travellers - literature on women's experiences (p.155): The birth: women's experiences; The midwife's approach: women's experiences; Summary; References
CHAPTER 12: Mapping a new ethic for midwives - from 'practice estate' to the pool and back, now a return journey travelled in tandem (p.167): The ethic of engagement - a midwifery ethic; The nature of engagement in ethical responses and relationships; The centrality of concepts which emerged from real life experience and literature, in an ethic of midwifery; Implications for practice and recommendations
References;
Conclusion (p.173); Glossary of terms and context of analysis (p.175); Index (p.181)

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About the Author:

Faye Thompson has thirty years experience as a midwife and educator. She studied philosophy and the humanities as an undergraduate in Australia, and now lectures on health care ethics. As a feminist, she seeks to reunite morality and personal interest so that the woman is not subordinated in women's health and childbirth practices.

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