Calls to Replace ‘Midwife’ Spark Backlash Over Gender-Inclusive Language

[Social Media]

 

The NHS has been urged to abandon the term “midwife” in favor of a more inclusive title, sparking debate over the role of gender in maternity care. Academics behind a newly published research paper argue that the centuries-old term is outdated and reinforces patriarchal structures, suggesting it be replaced with “lead perinatal practitioner.”

 

The proposal comes from Dr. John Peddleton, a senior midwifery lecturer at the University of Northampton, and Dr. Sally Pezaro, an academic midwife at Coventry University. In their paper, From Midwife to Lead Perinatal Practitioner: A Utopian Vision, published in Birth Issues in Perinatal Care, they contend that as transgender and non-binary individuals increasingly seek midwifery services, the profession must adopt more inclusive terminology.

 

“As trans and non-binary people increasingly require access to midwifery services, this paper proposes an alternative professional title that is inclusive and liberates midwives from continuously reinscribing the sex/gender binary in their nomenclature,” they write.

 

 

They argue that the term “midwife” perpetuates rigid understandings of sex and gender in childbirth and is a barrier to progress in the profession. The authors also claim that moving away from the traditional title would allow midwives to escape associations with historical gender roles and gain greater professional recognition.

 

“While recognising that the word ‘midwife’ may conjure historical and societal images and feelings of nostalgia, it will be important to move past this and towards alternative language in pursuit of a strengthened professional identity and increased societal respect and value for the profession,” the paper states.

 

Dr. Peddleton and Dr. Pezaro suggest that abandoning the term midwife would be a “trailblazing contribution towards the eradication of gender inequalities in the reproductive arena” by severing its ties to patriarchal structures.

 

However, the proposal has been met with significant criticism from within the midwifery profession and beyond. Opponents argue that the focus should remain on patient care rather than language debates, especially at a time when maternity services are already under immense pressure.

 

Anna Melamed, a midwifery lecturer at the University of the West of England in Bristol, dismissed the proposal outright, emphasizing that childbirth is a biological reality that should not be politicized. “It is women as a sex category who are pregnant and give birth, regardless of how they identify,” she told the Daily Mail. “Midwives are one of the few professions who proudly and clearly stand by and on the side of women.”

 

Helen Joyce, a representative from the charity Sex Matters, also criticized the suggestion, calling it unnecessary and impractical. “Maternity services are under enough pressure without ideological nonsense being foisted upon them,” she said.

 

The public response has largely echoed these sentiments, with many taking to social media to express frustration over the proposal. One Facebook user commented: “How about they do the best possible job they can and help women through childbirth? Stop worrying about titles and labels.”

 

Another added: “This is totally ridiculous. If you are giving birth, you are a woman and, as such, require a midwife. Who cares if it offends anyone?”

 

Some NHS trusts have already introduced gender-neutral terms such as “birthing person” instead of “mother” to accommodate trans and non-binary individuals. However, whether the broader profession will adopt “lead perinatal practitioner” in place of midwife remains to be seen. For now, the debate highlights the ongoing tensions between gender-inclusive language and the recognition of biological realities in healthcare.

 

Based on a report by The Telegraph  2025-03-18

 

 

[mikeymike100]

"As trans and non-binary people increasingly require access to midwifery services, this paper proposes an alternative professional title that is inclusive and liberates midwives from continuously reinscribing the sex/gender binary in their nomenclature,” they write."

 

Total madness, the UK is cooked!

 

—due to its focus on pregnancy and childbirth, traditionally seen as female domains—there’s no legal or professional barrier preventing men from becoming midwives in most places today. The term "midwife" itself, from Old English "mid" (with) and "wif" (woman), refers to the role of being "with the woman" during birth, not the gender of the practitioner.

[JonnyF]

9 minutes ago, mikeymike100 said:

The term "midwife" itself, from Old English "mid" (with) and "wif" (woman), refers to the role of being "with the woman" during birth, not the gender of the practitioner.

 

Correct.

 

The trouble is, these loons think that a man can give birth.

 

The lunatics are running the asylum. 

[Watawattana]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

“While recognising that the word ‘midwife’ may conjure historical and societal images and feelings of nostalgia, it will be important to move past this and towards alternative language in pursuit of a strengthened professional identity and increased societal respect and value for the profession,” the paper states.

 

Dr. Peddleton and Dr. Pezaro suggest that abandoning the term midwife would be a “trailblazing contribution towards the eradication of gender inequalities in the reproductive arena” by severing its ties to patriarchal structures.

What complete and utter rubbish.  Yeah there are male gynos so I guess male "midwives" aren't out of the ordinary, about 0.5% in the UK apparently.  But spending all this time and money on a word?  Who cares!!

 

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

They argue that the term “midwife” perpetuates rigid understandings of sex and gender in childbirth and is a barrier to progress in the profession.

I have no misunderstanding.  Women give birth, men do not.  Yes my understanding is rigid of course, but I'm not so old that I can't remember my high school biology, and not a single thing has changed since.

[LukKrueng]

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

they contend that as transgender and non-binary individuals increasingly seek midwifery services

I don't get it. What transgenes seek midwifery services? If it's a man that "transitioned" to be a woman, can he give birth? If it's a woman that "transitioned" all the way to be a man, can she give birth? 

And if you change the language over such a stupid issue - make sure to change animal husbandry to something more inclusive. My wife demands I takes care of the animals because it's husbandry!

[klauskunkel]

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

Dr. John Peddleton and Dr. Sally Pezaro.

In their paper, they contend 

they write

 

 

They argue

Are the doctors using "they/their" collectively or separately?

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

continuously reinscribing the sex/gender binary in their nomenclature

These doctors really should try to be more inclusive, given what's at stake: I see no mention of "nowomenclature" whatsoever!

[quake]

Oops, misread that one. 

[Bannoi]

Sometimes Trump has the right idea.

[This Guy]

These people need to be c@lled before they breed....oh that's right, they can't, only in their twisted fantasies