Mapping the emotional terrain of midwifery: What can we see and what lies ahead?

Abstract

Greater understanding of midwives' emotion work could potentially improve practitioner/client and collegial relationships, and inform future organisation and delivery of maternity care. However, midwives' emotion work remains relatively unrecognised and under-investigated. Drawing on a previous paper (Hunter, 2001), I contrast previous and current knowledge in the field. Four key areas appear significant: impact of work context and organisation; midwife-woman relationships; collegial relationships; emotion work as coercion or gift? More research is needed into how midwives manage emotions and learn emotion management skills. Trends towards "high tech but low care solutions" (Kirkham, 2009, p.237) have implications for future emotion work study. Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.