Nurse-Midwifery in New York City

Abstract

The nurse-midwifery program in New York is described, and an overview of the past decade is presented. The possible contribution of the nursemidwife to the personnel needs in obstetrics is discussed. Incentives are needed to stimulate use of nurse-midwives.

Relationships between professions: From the Viewpoint of the Physician and Nurse-Midwife in a Tertiary Center

“…Similarly, the nurse‐midwives were asked about their reactions when they are in the delivery room and call for resident consultation. The following findings are reassuring: 68.8% (11) of the nurse‐midwives responded that a resident comes immediately when he/she is called to the delivery room, 18.6% (3) of the nurse‐midwives replied that they waited longer than they liked, and only 12.5% (2) replied that they had to ask a second time for a resident to respond to a request for consultation.…”

“…The sample consisted of three groups: (1) physician faculty in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, (2) residents at all four levels of the residency training program in the Emory University Affiliated Hospitals (internship is first level), and (3) nurse‐midwives employed in the Nurse‐Midwifery Service of Grady Memorial Hospital. Faculty were included because it was assumed that their attitudes influence the residents'attitudes and policy decisions related to the Nurse‐Midwifery Service.…”

“…Based on this theoretical framework, descriptive data were obtained in four areas: (1) role expectations of the nurse‐midwife, (2) expected and perceived behavior, (3) opinions regarding practitioners in reciprocal roles, and (4) physicians'opinions regarding utilization of nurse‐midwives. Role strain was not directly elicited but indirectly considered in terms of attitudes and opinions resulting from role strain.…”

“…In the meantime nurse‐midwifery grew relatively slowly until the late 1960s when federal support for Maternal and Infant Care Projects included funds for nurse‐midwifery positions 2 . Then in the early 1970s nurse‐midwives were invited to join obstetricians in private practice 3,4 .…”

The historical relationship of nurse-midwifery with medicine

“…In addition, abortion was more readily obtained and women began pursuing careers outside the home, postponing childbearing. Because of the lessened demand for obstetric services, nurse‐midwifery grew slowly until the late 1960s, when federal support for Maternal and Infant Care Projects included funds for nurse‐midwifery positions (16).…”