Woman-centred or women-centred care: does it matter?

Abstract

The concept of woman-centred care is fundamental to midwifery and underpins the philosophy statements of midwifery professional organizations. It has also been used as a framework in a range of policy documents and standards related to midwifery and maternity service provision, notably in the UK and Australia. This discussion article questions the conceptual and practical implications of substituting ‘women-centred care’ for ‘womancentred care’ in terms of addressing women's individual needs and shifting the locus of control away from the institution and professionals towards the woman herself. Contested meanings of woman-centred care and empowerment are explored in relation to conceptual interpretations and the development of projects involving midwifery continuity of care.