Ethical Issues in Childbirth: The Need for Relational Ethics

Abstract

In modern times establishing a dear difference between rig h t and wrong actions in midwifery is increasingly becoming difficult because of the overwhelming addition of constant evidence. The explosion and availability of information and civilization has increased individual's awareness of their rights and options when it comes to childbirth. Increasing demand for midwives to make decisions based on their professional expertise on one hand, and the desires and wishes of their clients, on the other hand, requires a strong understanding of ethics. Midwifery is considered a relationship - based profession due to the intimate nature of the care provided. The handling of personal information, physical contact, and psychological and educational care that characterizes midwifery practice has the potential to generate ethical issues. Several ways of improving ethics in midwifery has been proposed in literature including the use of ethical theories, principles and codes of ethics among other strategies. The focus of this paper is to examine some of the sources of conflict in childbirth and analyze the role of codes, principles and theories in childbirth ethics. The author, from a personal point of view, provides arguments to support the need to approach ethical issues in childbirth from a relational ethics perspective.