Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Navigating Midwifery Solidarity: A Feminist Participatory Action Research Framework, Katherine Buchanan, Elizabeth Newnham, Sadie Geraghty, Lisa Whitehead

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background:

A core aspect of midwifery philosophy is the optimisation of normal physiology; however, this has been challenged as a radical idea in the medicalisation of birth. Research has demonstrated the benefits of midwifery in improving outcomes for both mothers and babies. The understanding of midwifery benefits fails to reach wider sociocultural contexts as births becomes more medicalised. Midwifery research requires an action arm, to help translate theory to practice and mobilise midwives in solidarity with women towards action and change.

Aim:

The aim of this article is to describe a Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) by establishing the philosophical …

Woman-Centred Ethics: A Feminist Participatory Action Research [Journal Article], Kate Buchanan, Sadie Geraghty, Lisa Whitehead, Elizabeth Newnham

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Contemporary ethical issues in the maternity system are nuanced, complex and layered. Medicalisation and the reported rise in incidence of mistreatment and birth trauma, has been described as unethical. Some authors suggest bioethical principles are limited in terms of guiding everyday care of pregnancy and birth. There is currently no known published research which explores what birthing people say is ethical. Aims: This study sought to explore women's experience of maternity care from an ethical perspective. Method: A Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) was conducted over three years, in two phases. A Community Action Research Group (CARG) was formed …