Pregnancy and childbirth have an emotional impact not only on parents but also on midwives. Providing emotional support to women and their families is acknowledged as a key aspect of midwifery work. But a severe national shortage of midwives means they are often stressed and overworked and some feel the emotional aspect of childbirth โ how the woman feels โ has become a frilly add on with midwives unable to empathise with the women in their care. The impact of this emotional detachment is evident on the women, but how does it affect the midwives?
