Being safe practitioners and safe mothers: A critical ethnography of continuity of care midwifery in Australia

摘要: Abstract Objective to examine how midwives and women within a continuity of care midwifery programme in Australia conceptualised childbirth risk the influences these conceptualisations on women's choices midwives' practice. Design setting critical ethnography community-based programme, including semi-structured interviews observation sequential antenatal appointments. Participants eight midwives, an obstetrician 17 women. Findings assumed risk-negotiator role order mediate relationships between hospital-based maternity staff. The relied profoundly trust engendered their with Trust mother–midwife relationship furthermore acted as catalyst for complex processes identity work which, turn, allowed manipulate existing obstetric hierarchies effectively re-order conceptualisations. In establishing maintaining identities ‘safe practitioner' mother', greater scope negotiation normal context was achieved. Key conclusions implications practice effects practices can be mitigated when acts supports midwife's risk-negotiator. achievement mutual identity-work through contribute improved outcomes receiving care. However, needed perform while simultaneously negotiating professional credibility that construed risky.