Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

“When You Feel Like There is No Trust in the Profession” : Midwives and Obstetricians Facing Complicated Cases

Jägervi, Lotta LU and Svensson, Kerstin LU (2025) In Professions and Professionalism 15(1).
Abstract
This study examines how two collaborating professions, midwifery and obstetrics, are influenced by women requesting caesarean sections. The empirical material consists of semi-structured interviews with Swedish midwives (n=6) and obstetricians (n=6). Analysed through Tilly’s terms, the categorical pair and triad, midwife and obstetrician function as complementary categories in a triad with the women they encounter. Midwifery is a profession with connotations of closeness, understanding, and a unique connection to birth. It is challenged when women reject support or the idea of vaginal birth as empowering. Obstetrics, as a profession, relates to medical expertise, distance, and overview. It is challenged when their knowledge and authority... (More)
This study examines how two collaborating professions, midwifery and obstetrics, are influenced by women requesting caesarean sections. The empirical material consists of semi-structured interviews with Swedish midwives (n=6) and obstetricians (n=6). Analysed through Tilly’s terms, the categorical pair and triad, midwife and obstetrician function as complementary categories in a triad with the women they encounter. Midwifery is a profession with connotations of closeness, understanding, and a unique connection to birth. It is challenged when women reject support or the idea of vaginal birth as empowering. Obstetrics, as a profession, relates to medical expertise, distance, and overview. It is challenged when their knowledge and authority are rejected. Both professions rely on each other’s complementary roles for support. The midwife draws on the obstetrician’s authority, while the obstetrician draws on the midwife’s empathic knowledge of the woman. When strongly challenged, they uphold their defined positions by questioning the woman’s judgement and rationality. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Professions and Professionalism
volume
15
issue
1
publisher
Høgskolen i Oslo og Akershus
ISSN
1893-1049
DOI
10.7577/pp.6171
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
8edab752-049c-4131-94c6-a61aeda18164
date added to LUP
2025-10-23 16:13:30
date last changed
2025-10-24 10:33:56
@article{8edab752-049c-4131-94c6-a61aeda18164,
  abstract     = {{This study examines how two collaborating professions, midwifery and obstetrics, are influenced by women requesting caesarean sections. The empirical material consists of semi-structured interviews with Swedish midwives (n=6) and obstetricians (n=6). Analysed through Tilly’s terms, the categorical pair and triad, midwife and obstetrician function as complementary categories in a triad with the women they encounter. Midwifery is a profession with connotations of closeness, understanding, and a unique connection to birth. It is challenged when women reject support or the idea of vaginal birth as empowering. Obstetrics, as a profession, relates to medical expertise, distance, and overview. It is challenged when their knowledge and authority are rejected. Both professions rely on each other’s complementary roles for support. The midwife draws on the obstetrician’s authority, while the obstetrician draws on the midwife’s empathic knowledge of the woman. When strongly challenged, they uphold their defined positions by questioning the woman’s judgement and rationality.}},
  author       = {{Jägervi, Lotta and Svensson, Kerstin}},
  issn         = {{1893-1049}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{10}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Høgskolen i Oslo og Akershus}},
  series       = {{Professions and Professionalism}},
  title        = {{“When You Feel Like There is No Trust in the Profession” : Midwives and Obstetricians Facing Complicated Cases}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.7577/pp.6171}},
  doi          = {{10.7577/pp.6171}},
  volume       = {{15}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}