PROFESSIONAL AUTONOMY IN MIDWIFERY: REFLECTIONS AND EXPERIENCES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22370/revmat.1.2025.4381Keywords:
Professional autonomy, Midwifery, care models, ReflectionAbstract
This article examines midwives' Professional Autonomy (PA) in hospital settings based on shared reflections within the Comunidad de Matronas (CM), composed of colleagues from Argentina, Chile, Spain, England, Peru, and Uruguay. Gibbs' Reflective Cycle was used to systematise professional practice experiences in different geopolitical and cultural contexts, divided into Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, and Action Plan.
Findings reveal disparities in care models, even within the same country. Biomedical hegemony restricts midwives' PA, causing frustration and burnout. Additionally, gender inequality contributes to the profession’s subordination within health systems. However, midwives develop resistance strategies to regain their autonomy.
Conclusion: strengthening PA requires continuous education, global networks, and public policies that ensure the autonomous practice of midwifery. The exchange within the MC has been key to identifying strategies that promote professional autonomy in different countries.
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Nota: Se encuentran diferentes acepciones para estas profesionales de la salud en América Latina, según país: Licenciada/o en Obstetricia: (Argentina), Obstetra-Partera (Uruguay), parteras profesionales (México), o bien la traducción oficial de ICM para las parteras profesionales es “matronas” (Confederación Internacional de Matronas) Obstetra (Perú), y matrona/ón (Chile). Para efecto del presente artículo, se utiliza el concepto de partera/matrona en referencia a ellas, independiente del país, según lo acordado por Asociaciones de Partería Profesional de América Latina.
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