Presenter Classification
Faculty
Presentation Type
Podium Presentation
Publication Date
4-24-2025
Start Date
24-4-2025 11:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2025 11:20 AM
Keywords
midwives, Appalachia, nursing, families, community health
Abstract Type
Research
Abstract
Background: Midwives have provided care to women since the beginning of time. Early midwives had little training but learned their craft from experienced women. Later, formal training became available. Midwives have a rich history in Appalachia.
Purpose: to explore the rich history of all types of midwives in Appalachia.
Methods: Materials from the Archives of Appalachia were reviewed. Both written and oral materials were evaluated. This included a review of the document, identification of themes, and then comparing those themes with previously identified themes. Documents were reviewed in a random order by two researchers who met to discuss results.
Results: The individual themes seemed to be either positive or negative and were divided into 2 main categories based on similarities: Caring for Women, Families, and Communities and Midwifery Challenges in Caring for the Community. Main theme 1: Caring for women, families, and communities included the following themes: Need for Midwives, Granny Midwives and Community Presence, Caring for the Community, Religion and Spirituality, Superstitions in Caring for Women, Herbal Remedies, and No Charge or Bartering for Services. Main theme 2: Themes related to midwifery challenges in caring for the community included the following subthemes: Community Support Decreases for Midwives, Legal Issues, Education, Dangers in/for the Midwifery Community, and the Demise of Lay Midwifery.
Conclusion: Midwives provided care to families of Appalachia in a variety of ways including labor and birth, wellness, and supporting families and communities.
Included in
Family Practice Nursing Commons, Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons, Nursing Midwifery Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons
A jewel in the crown is better than money in the pocket": Historical Data on the Role of Midwives in Caring for Families in Southern Appalachia
Background: Midwives have provided care to women since the beginning of time. Early midwives had little training but learned their craft from experienced women. Later, formal training became available. Midwives have a rich history in Appalachia.
Purpose: to explore the rich history of all types of midwives in Appalachia.
Methods: Materials from the Archives of Appalachia were reviewed. Both written and oral materials were evaluated. This included a review of the document, identification of themes, and then comparing those themes with previously identified themes. Documents were reviewed in a random order by two researchers who met to discuss results.
Results: The individual themes seemed to be either positive or negative and were divided into 2 main categories based on similarities: Caring for Women, Families, and Communities and Midwifery Challenges in Caring for the Community. Main theme 1: Caring for women, families, and communities included the following themes: Need for Midwives, Granny Midwives and Community Presence, Caring for the Community, Religion and Spirituality, Superstitions in Caring for Women, Herbal Remedies, and No Charge or Bartering for Services. Main theme 2: Themes related to midwifery challenges in caring for the community included the following subthemes: Community Support Decreases for Midwives, Legal Issues, Education, Dangers in/for the Midwifery Community, and the Demise of Lay Midwifery.
Conclusion: Midwives provided care to families of Appalachia in a variety of ways including labor and birth, wellness, and supporting families and communities.