Lay midwifery in southern Appalachia. The case of a mountain county in eastern Kentucky
| Autor: | Deuschle Kw, Hochstrasser Dl, Osgood K |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 1966 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
medicine.medical_specialty Population Rural Health Midwifery Nursing medicine Environmental Chemistry Humans Financial compensation education General Environmental Science Aged education.field_of_study business.industry Rural health Public health Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health Attendance Middle Aged Family planning Social Conditions Respondent Female business Appalachia Personality |
| Zdroj: | Archives of environmental health. 12(6) |
| ISSN: | 0003-9896 |
| Popis: | Wherever a community is lacking health facilities the lay midwife performs the necessary functions of birth attendance. In many states the legal authority to regulate or control lay midwives belongs to the public health authorities. A study of lay midwives in Eastern Kentucky theCumberland Plateau was conducted in 1965. Specific information was compiled from official records; formal and informal interviews with local midwives; and observations. All midwives contacted were willing to be observed. Questions were asked on the personal and social characteristics of the midwife; her previous experience and training; and the current practice of the respondent. Midwives generally consider themselves to be bona fide professionals. In 1963 the percentage of live births delivered by midwives was 22.8%. The average length of practice for the group was 38 years (37.6). Only 2 of the 10 midwives interviewed kept careful records; most did not know exactly how many deliveries they had attended. Most travel to homes in or near their own neighborhood. The majority of deliveries were made without financial compensation. All the midwives wait and let the mother deliver spontaneously but will administer castor oil an enema or tea to induce labor. No consistent postpartum schedule is maintained. One of the midwives interviewed was a male. Most midwives are leaders in their community. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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