Would you prefer a male or female midwife?

Jul 16, 2013

We often hear about women breaking barriers and making it in male-dominated fields. But what happens when men attempt to make it in midwivery, a sensitive field traditionally perceived as women’s turf

Sunday Vision
 
We often hear about women breaking barriers and making it in male-dominated fields. But what happens when men attempt to make it in midwivery, a sensitive field traditionally perceived as women’s turf, Frank Isabirye explores 
 
Midwifery has, for a long time, been perceived as a profession for women. Consequently, it was no surprise when President Yoweri Museveni, during his State of the Nation address last month, remarked that men should not practice midwifery. 
 
But in the modern world we are living in, there are a number of male midwives who are doing an excellent job. More nursing schools are looking to enroll males too. 
 
Is midwifery classified as a female profession?
“When it comes to whether males should or should not practise midwifery, one’s answer will definitely be determined by their age and cultural belief,” says a senior midwife who prefers anonymity.
 
Being one of the very first five professional nurses in Uganda, her views hold much weight. From a cultural point of view, midwifery was a woman’s and not a man’s job. 
 
She adds: “Why was this so? You know midwifery is confidential. It is built around secrecy, since you are dealing with women’s most private aspects of their lives. So the logic behind classifying it as a women’s job was simple: better to trust a fellow woman with another woman’s most private parts.” 
 
Her explanation may be justified. On the other hand, when one considers the curious case of gynaecologists who “coincidentally” are predominantly male, then cracks start to appear in her explanation.
 
As a matter of fact, gynaecologists do a lot more than the average midwife, when it comes to dealing with women, yet no question has ever been raised as to why men are gynaecologists.
 
Anything wrong with male midwives?
“There is nothing wrong with men practising midwifery. There are many male midwives who are doing a very good job out there. But as you know, one of the hardest things to change about people is their attitudes and that is why many of them have a problem with male midwives,” Rachael Nasongo, a practising midwife, says.
 
A senior midwife, Esther (not real name) says: “I think it is about time we adjusted to change. There is no major problem with male midwives. It all depends on an individual’s approach to work and the amount of interest they have. A man can excel at midwifery.” 
 
The fact that many midwives find no fault with sharing their profession with men speaks volumes. 
“But the reason some people do not approve of this is because it poses a big challenge to some men.
 
For instance, a male midwife of a younger age may face a huge problem helping a much older woman give birth in the presence of her husband.”
 
Do women prefer male midwives?
As more men take on midwifery, some women are embracing the concept and in fact, prefer to be attended to by a male midwife. 
 
Esther says with male midwives, it is a case of opposite poles attracting. This, though, cannot be generalised for all women. People ought to understand that the touches differ and so do the looks. It is normal for some women to prefer the male touch because naturally, women are more sensitive to males.” An intriguing observation, given that Esther has served as a midwife for over 20 years.
 
“Personal character is the reason certain women prefer male to female midwives. And even outside the hospital, these women find it easier to trust men,” Nasongo says.  
 
Male midwives worldwide
Midwife means “with woman”. A male midwife is, therefore, still called a midwife because he is assisting the woman giving birth. Male midwives are still a tiny, but growing majority all around the world. 
 
Canada’s first male midwife, Otis Kryzanauskas, cut his first umbilical cord when he was four years old. He had just witnessed the birth of his younger brother.  His mother is also a midwife.
 
Gary Slevin, a midwife in London, has delivered more than 2,000 babies. He has four children of his own, and he raised all of them by himself. Throughout his 15-year career, no more than 15 women have declined his services, mainly Muslim women. He has even had a couple name their children after him.
 
Switzerland’s first male midwife is 33-year-old Burundian, Majaliwa Vyankandondera. The former refugee largely attracted media attention when he started practising in 2005.
 
Television cameras and journalists followed him as he went about his work at Geneva University Hospital.

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