Which of the following describes the concept of ethical dilemmas in midwifery?

The concept of ethical dilemmas in midwifery is fundamentally about the conflicts that can arise between personal values and the professional obligations that midwives hold. Midwives often encounter situations where their personal beliefs, cultural values, or ethical principles may clash with the best practices or guidelines set forth in the care of their clients.

For example, a midwife may personally hold strong beliefs about certain interventions or may feel uncomfortable with specific practices, while recognizing that their professional duty requires them to respect the choices and autonomy of the birthing person. This tension between honoring individual values and adhering to the ethical standards of care creates a complex situation requiring careful consideration and ethical reasoning.

In contrast, certainty of outcomes or complete agreement among healthcare providers does not capture the nuance of ethical dilemmas. Similarly, directives from regulatory bodies are often intended to guide practice, but they do not account for the personal ethical conflicts that practitioners may face in real-world scenarios, which often require individual judgment and decision-making.