Abstract

Aim: To explore themes and concepts involved in the journey to becoming a midwife with a sample of midwives who work outside the NHS. Method: A grounded theory approach was used to analyse data from individual and group interviews with nine midwives. Results: The key theme identified in this research was that of ‘believing’, which helped midwives to transcend environmental and organisational constraints to be able to practise ’woman-centredness’. Conclusions: The midwives interviewed appeared to have increased confidence in supporting women to achieve their goals around childbirth.