Midwifery Profession in Russia: Institutional Context and Everyday Professional Practices

Abstract

Development of caring professions in post-Socialist context rarely becomes subject of sociological research. Presented article addresses this issue by considering development of midwifery occupation in contemporary Russia. We study how social and political changes have influenced professional project of midwives after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Particular emphasis is put on the impact of recent institutional changes on daily work on midwives and renegotiation of doctor-midwife professional border at the level of everyday interactions. Findings of the research are based on analysis of secondary data on development of midwifery in Russia and on interviews with midwifes from three Russian cities.