Ep 64 Jane Houston on midwifery challenges and disparities from Scotland, Zimbabwe, NZ to Florida in USA (PART 1)

Ep 64 (ibit.ly/Re5V) Jane Houston on #midwifery #challenges and #disparities from #Scotland, #Zimbabwe, #NZ to #Florida in #USA (PART 1)

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Ever wonder about the world of midwifery, its challenges, and the systemic disparities in maternal care? Join us as we delve into these topics with Jane Houston, a midwife who has worked in Scotland, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, and the United States. Jane weaves her compelling journey from her family's healthcare background to her passion for serving birthing families. She shares her insights about the stark differences in midwifery education between Scotland and the US, and her experiences working in both hospital and community settings. 

In our conversation, Jane transports us to scenarios around the globe and back. She recounts her stint in Africa, a place where she witnessed uninterfered births and marvelled at the resilience of the women in the community. Jane also narrates the pivotal role played by Joan Donnelly in saving midwifery in New Zealand and the empowering process of midwives self-identifying and catering to clients who share their experiences. Together, we navigate the complexities of providing comprehensive midwifery care in a capitalistic world, and the increasing trend of C-sections in the United States.

Reflecting on her vast experiences, Jane expresses her concern about disparities in the healthcare systems she has observed, particularly in the US where she identifies a disempowerment of women and a lack of understanding of midwifery care. Beyond the challenges of obtaining a master's degree, Jane emphasizes the need for diversity in the midwifery profession and the importance of personalized care. Join us to learn from her journey, her views on improving midwifery practice, and her contributions to various research and quality improvement projects in the first of a two part conversation!

Chapters

• 0:15 Midwives Discuss Improving Birth Practices
• 15:41 Midwife's Experiences in Challenging Maternity Settings
• 27:34 Challenges and Disparities in Maternal Care
• 41:55 Challenges in American Healthcare System
• 46:59 Challenges and Progress in Midwifery