Thesis (M.A.)--University of Montana, 2008. / Title from title screen. Description based on contents viewed Aug. 7, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 33-35).

M.Cur. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

Thesis supervisor: Susan C. Lawrence. Thesis supervisor: John Raeburn. Includes bibliographical references (p. 339-354).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2005. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 339-377). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--UCLA, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 387-400).

M.Cur. / Few South African studies have been done with regard to private midwives and their clients. The practices of these midwives are overloaded, indicating a growing need for their services. An exploratory, contextual and descriptive study was undertaken to investigate some of the issues relating to the practice of the private midwife. This was done from the perspective ofthe women attending these practices. The aims of this study were to explore and describe how women experience the care they receive from their private midwives in Gauteng during antenatal visits, labour and postnatal contacts; to explore and describe the reasons for clients of private midwives in Gauteng to choose an independent midwife as birth attendant and to explore how these clients get to hear about their midwives. Eight women, attending a total of two different midwifery practices, were interviewed. The main categories that emerged from analysing the women's experience of private midwifery care were that the midwives were caring, family orientated, informative, knowledgeable, guiding and unintrusive. Time was both respected and given by the midwives. The midwives saw childbirth as a normal and natural process. The midwives empowered the women and left them in control oftheir childbirth. A mutual, intimate relationship was formed between the women and their midwives, which was based on trust and continuity of care. The women felt they were treated as unique individuals. One woman related some negative aspects ofthe care she received. A variety of reasons were given for choosing a private midwife as birth attendant. Some had specific wishes for their birth, such as a homebirth and knew that private midwives would grant them Other reasons included cost effectiveness, control over childbirth, one on one care, shorter waiting periods, longer consulting times and wanting an experienced birth attendant. Previous negative experience with staff at government hospitals and private gynaecologists; and hearing about positive experiences with private midwives also contributed to women opting for independent midwives. The women got to hear about their private midwives through their general practitioner, obstetrician, antenatal class instructor, friends, family members or health professional that delivered a previous baby. These research findings were supported by existing literature and recommendations were made to midwifery practice, education and research.

M.Cur. / There is little information about the outcomes and safety of home births, although more and more women are starting to lean towards natural and active births. A home birth provides a more relaxed environment with familiar attendants and less medical intervention. No separation exists between mother and baby as well as other family members. Freedom of movement is promoted and the woman can eat and drink as she pleases. Unnecessary routine preparation for labour doesn't exist and privacy is respected. The purpose of this research was to explore and describe the outcomes of home births in Pretoria, attended by private midwifes, and to provide guidelines in relation with home births.

Thesis (M.A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2007. / Vita. Appendix: leaves 34-35. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-38).

Thesis (M.A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2007. / Vita. Appendix: leaves 34-35. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 36-38).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1980.