The main issue is the philosophical difference between midwives and obstetricians. Midwives view pregnancy and the natural process of birthing as a normal part of life’s passage. They rely on their intuitive skills, hands, eyes and ears plus hearts, whereas obstetricians believe their technology to be more accurate, effective and reliable than any human can be.
The global struggle for control of maternity services taking place in western countries where birth rates are falling means the competition for pregnant patients is increasing. This competitive market needs recognising for how it is. The power struggle is not philosphical, it is about money, power and territory.
The media release of 1999 Maternity report noted that normal births were becoming less frequent, a pattern that has become worse every year since. Can it really be that women no longer know how to do what is essentially an instinctive and natural fulfilment of their reason for motherhood?