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Towards a sustainable model of midwifery practice in a continuity of carer setting: The experience of New Zealand midwives

Abstract:

It is important to understand the influence that legislation and funding structures has had on the way midwives in New Zealand practice and how these changes have impacted on the continuity of care and carer models of midwifery. The 1990 Amendments to the relevant Acts that impacted on midwifery practice in effect gave the midwife the same legal rights as medical practitioners to provide a comprehensive maternity care service for New Zealand women. The legislation changes created a precedent for midwives making them eligible to provide a full range of maternity care services. Previous legislation and funding stipulated medical involvement in the provision of maternity care (New Zealand Statute, 1904, 1925, 1945, 1971, 1977). At the time that this research was carried out, 60% of low risk New Zealand women chose a midwife as their Lead Maternity Carer (Health Benefits Ltd., 1999).

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continuity of carer, influence of legislation, job satisfaction, sustainable model of care