The spirituality of presence in midwifery care

• Published in: Midwifery 2008-09, Vol.24 (3), p.321-327
• Main Authors: Pembroke, Neil F., Pembroke, Janelle J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Availability; Caring; Female; Health professional-Patient relationships; Humans; Midwife-woman relationship; Midwifery; Midwifery led care; Nurse-Patient Relations; Nursing; Patient centredness; Patient-Centered Care; Pregnancy; Presence; Quality of care; Responsibility; Social Responsibility; Spirituality; Women-centred care
• ISSN: 0266-6138; 1532-3099
• DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2006.10.004

The quality of the relationship between the midwife and the woman is widely acknowledged to be of vital importance in pregnancy and childbirth. The authors argue that presence is the spiritual strength that enables midwives to fully actualise their relational capacity. Presence describes a special way of being there or being with the other person. In order to develop its meaning fully, reference is made to the concepts of responsibility (Martin Buber) and availability (Gabriel Marcel). Responsibility indicates a deep capacity to respond to the needs people have to be heard, understood, respected, and, when it is required, helped and supported. Availability refers to the willingness of a person to give of herself for the sake of others. The aim of this paper is to offer a fresh perspective on the nature of caring midwifery through the use of these unique perspectives on genuine presence. The research method used is an integration of the philosophical reflections with relevant personal reports from women. These reports have been gathered from the research of others.