Responding to the changing landscape: Australian midwifery

Abstract

The maternity reform agenda within Australia has seen a considerable shift in the last decade towards recognition of the role of the midwife and promotion of midwifery care. The current legislative changes and focus on providing woman centred models of care have created unprecedented opportunities for midwives to rise to the challenge and work to the full scope of practice of a midwife. Changes to maternity service delivery and the educational preparation of midwives have been accompanied by growing recognition of the distinction between nursing and midwifery. As a result midwifery in Australia is in transition, moving from a position of submersion within nursing to one of a strong well educated autonomous profession with a defined scope of practice. This paper examines the changing landscape of midwifery in Australia within three areas: regulation, education and practice.