Should Women Actively Support Midwifery?

Should the partnered status of women have any bearing upon the care she receives from midwives during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period? In relation to the Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBA) Competency Standards for the Midwife 2010, competency 9, the midwife should actively support midwifery as a public health strategy. Actively supporting midwifery and public health would be seen as actively supporting the woman in her pregnancy journey, regardless of her partnered status, should that be married, partnered, single or from a same sex relationship. This can also be seen as advocating for the woman and her partner, the care she is provided with and collaborating with the woman and other relevant healthcare services to ensure that woman centered care is provided, regardless of partnered status. However research into the experiences of women is seen differently, especially in the case of same sex partnerships and the care that is provided. Women in same sex relationships report the differences between the care provided to them compared to that of heterosexual couples can be seen, further adding to social isolation which can be felt by
The Department of Health, 2008, cites recognition that same sex relationships and their dependent children receive the same entitlements and access to quality healthcare as heterosexual couples and their dependent children. In an era where same sex couples are recognised and marriage equality is rife, the same should be said for healthcare equality. It is a given that patients from varying cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds are provided equal care regardless of the views, beliefs or prejudices of the healthcare professional, same sex relationships should also be awarded the