Presentation Information

Robbie Davis-Floyd

Daughter of Time: The Postmodern Midwife

  • Speaker: Robbie Davis-Floyd , PhD
  • Presentation Type:
  • Duration: 60 Mins
  • Credits: 1 CERP, 1 ACM CPD, .1 Midwifery CEU, 1 Dietetic CEU
Abstract:

In this presentation, I define "the postmodern midwife" as one who takes an informed and relativistic approach to different ways of knowing about birth and who can invent ways to make discrepant systems complementary. Recognizing the limitations and strengths of the biomedical system and of her own, the postmodern midwife moves fluidly between them to serve the women she attends. She is a shape-shifter--she knows how to work to change the medical system while appearing to comply with it; a bridge-builder, making alliances with biomedicine where possible and building connections between traditional and professional midwives; and a networker. When possible she attends conferences and meetings, making connections with other midwives in other parts of the world, increasing her ability to translate between systems, and gaining consciousness of midwifery as a global movement. Through her interlinkages with other midwives around the world, she works to create a global and increasingly shared culture of midwifery as well as to preserve, carry forward, and teach to others in her own and other cultures the best of her own cultural traditions around birth.