Mediation: A guide for midwives

Humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers (1995:12) once said:

‘It is astonishing how elements which seem insoluble become soluble when someone listens. How confusions which seem irremediable turn into relatively clear flowing streams when one is heard.’

Mediation is peacemaking. It can be to resolve, reduce and prevent conflict; to rebuild relationships; or to reach agreement rather than engage in adversarial situations (such as litigation). Mediation is more about finding a way to positive communication than making agreement. It is the use of a third party to act as intermediary between two or more parties involved in a dispute. The mediator is on all sides, actively listening and supporting each party with their point and suggesting positive ways to communicate and reach agreement or to find ongoing improved communication that may later lead to agreement.

Mediation for midwives can take place between colleagues, clients, employers, regulators and in any situation where conflict requires resolution.