Date of Award
2025
Degree Name
Master of Nursing (Research)
Schools and Centres
Nursing and Midwifery
First Supervisor
Professor Sadie Geraghty
Second Supervisor
Associate Professor Rosemarie Hogan
Third Supervisor
Dr Sheena McChlery
Abstract
At the heart of midwifery lies a philosophy grounded by the principle of being ‘with woman’. This core philosophy defines the profession itself, reflected in the etymology of the word midwife, derived from the Anglo-Saxon terms mid (with) and wif (woman), reflecting a tradition of relational care embedded within the profession. Understanding and embodying this philosophy is fundamental for midwifery students, as it shapes their professional identity, informs clinical decision-making, and underpins the provision of care that is safe, respectful and in partnership with women across their childbearing journey. Learning to be ‘with woman’ fosters respect, advocacy, and partnership, ensuring that care remains centred on women’s needs, experiences, and autonomy throughout the childbearing continuum.
The overarching aim of my research was to develop a rich and meaningful understanding of the perspectives and experiences of midwifery students learning to be ‘with woman’. A scoping review published in 2024 revealed that there is limited understanding of midwifery students’ perspectives and experiences of learning to be ‘with woman’.
My research was grounded within an interpretivist paradigm, applying phenomenology to delve into understanding the lived experiences of midwifery students learning to be ‘with woman’. Qualitative methods, such as in-depth interviews methods were applied to unravel midwifery students’ stories, experiences and journeys in learning to be ‘with woman’. In-depth, semi structured interviews were completed with eight midwifery students across Australia. Following interviews, reflexive thematic analysis was used to explore and analyse data. Through immersive data analysis, six themes were revealed, ‘Pillars of Presence’, ‘Making a Difference’, ‘Finding the balance’, ‘Building the Foundations’, ‘Being with Student’, and ‘Seeing the Difference’.
The findings of my research extend upon current understandings of how midwifery students learn to embody the philosophy of being ‘with woman’. My research illustrates the complex and interdependent influences of clinical experience, preceptorship, relational dynamics, and university education in shaping students’ capacity to develop, apply, and sustain a practice that aligns with being ‘with woman’. This research contributes new insights to the educational and professional literature, offering evidence to inform the ongoing development of curricula, clinical learning environments, and support structures that enable students to cultivate the relational, reflective, and philosophical foundations essential to midwifery practice.
Publication Details
Guerin, A. (2025). Learning to be 'With Woman': The Lived Experience of Studying Midwifery, a Phenomenological Study [Master of Nursing (Research)]. The University of Notre Dame Australia. https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses/486