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In past centuries, it was women (midwives) who supported and cared for women during labor and birth. It was not until the 19th century that male doctors began to surpass midwives in obstetric care and dominate the birthing industry thanks to medicine and advanced technology. By 1951, 90% of births took place in hospitals with doctors present.1 and this proportion rose to 99% by 1969.4 However, midwives have been able to expand their training and have the opportunity to complete training to become a state-certified midwife. More and more people are realising the advantages of working with a midwife.
In 2013, 90% of births in the United States were attended by doctors and 9% by midwives.2 And the data shows that in 2021, 12% of all births were attended by a midwife. Encouragingly, the number of births attended by midwives and the number of practicing midwives have increased in recent years.3 We believe in a future where there is shared care – doctors and midwives supporting women during pregnancy, birth and afterward. One doctor, Dr. Darrell Martin, also believes in this idea and talks to us more about this topic.
Who is Dr. Darrell Martin?
Dr. Darrell Martin is an ob-gyn and dedicated health advocate with four decades of experience in women’s health. His commitment to patient care and choice led him to testify before Congress, where he advocated for the rights of certified midwives and for patients’ freedom to choose their health care providers. A standout moment in his career was his passionate support of midwifery education in Nashville, Tennessee, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the profession. In addition, Dr. Martin is very proud to have played a critical role in more than 5,000 births, leaving a legacy of life and joy he brought into the world.
What did we discuss?
In this episode, we talk to Dr. Darrell Martin about midwifery and the five key roles midwives play in creating a safe birth environment. Here are some of the questions we covered in our conversation:
- How did you become interested in women’s health, obstetrics and patient rights?
- Please explain to us briefly what a midwife is. What tasks does she have during childbirth?
- What do you think is the role of a Midwife differs from gynecologist when it comes to birth?
- Please tell us about the five key roles of the midwife in creating a safe birth environment.
- In your opinion, how do midwives contribute to a positive birth experience for pregnant women and their families?
- What common challenges or misunderstandings do midwives face in their practice?
- How do you think the role of midwives in childbirth will evolve in the future?
My thoughts
It was a real pleasure to speak with Dr Martin about midwifery and his views on women’s care and birth. Hearing about his experiences was moving. I really value his advocacy for women to have choices about their care. His passion, perseverance and commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered care is leading to meaningful change.
His book, In Good Hands: A Doctor’s Story of Breaking Barriers, is very much about this topic. It is his story of one man’s persistent pursuit of better, safer, more collaborative healthcare for women and the immense challenges he and his colleagues had to overcome. Dr. Martin is a physician who dared to challenge the norms of his profession and advocate for a more inclusive, respectful approach to women’s health. We are incredibly grateful for his work.
Dr. Martin’s Resources
Thank you for listening to this episode! Follow us on our podcast Instagram page @thebabychickchatand let us know what you think and if there are any other topics you think we should cover. Cheers to midwifery and safe, beautiful births!!
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