Working with Physicians

Drilling down to the individual level, this chapter deals with the relationship between African American lay midwives and the physicians, who were usually white, upon whom they relied for medical support. Self-belief, a commitment to the women they served, and their adherence to the standardization of midwifery resulted in the lay midwives demanding medical assistance when required. Using what little anecdotal evidence available, the chapter provides examples of the mutual respect that existed between lay midwives and physicians, but also demonstrates the weakness of a care model heavily weighted in micro-level components but with little access to macro-level facilities and knowledge.