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My theory is there are a few dynamics going on.

The major reform of the 1990s saw obstetricians lose their exalted status as the one-stop shop of birthing services. The Nurses Act suddenly gave midwives autonomy for practice, giving expectant mothers an alternative maternity provider to the medical service.

Looking back, changing the legislation was hard-won, but relatively easy in the scheme of things.

Here, just like in the rest of the world, midwifery autonomy is constantly challenged as people — doctors, nurses and media — come to terms with the ability of a female-dominant profession to provide a safe service without medical supervision.

Suddenly there was a choice, just as there is today, about using a doctor or a midwife. Doctors were far from thrilled, and many dropped out of maternity work.

While the years have seen a mellowing, and inclusiveness now occurs more frequently, I strongly suspect midwifery is still experiencing a hangover from that era. Certainly, midwives (and new mothers) report experiencing hostility from the medical fraternity — all of which is adding to their qualms about their future. The other iron in the fire, slowly heating, is the fact that midwives are completely underpaid. Is it sexism? You tell me. Back in the early 90s, midwives started to be paid the same as the doctors had been for maternity and delivery care. More midwives subsequently entered the profession, the doctors racked off, and the pay rates have stagnated. As with all female-dominated professions, you can kick the can down the road. Or just kick the gals in the guts. Which is essentially what low pay for incredibly important work is. So, what is it about women taking care of other women that is so challenging to the status quo? Is it about females having control over their own bodies that rankles so hard? Think antiabortionists, Catholics against contraception, and weirdos who think that women invite rape by what they wear. It feels at times like a witch hunt. There are numerous academic theses about this very contention. The disempowerment of women who practised healing or medicine has a long and tortuous history. Ask any self- respecting, self-taught midwife who went from village to village in the 16th century. If you could, but you’d need to cut her down first.

While I’m not suggesting we’re still living in such times — although sometimes I’ve cause to wonder — the idea that women should have control over their lives is still difficult for some to fully accept. Yet, here we are in the early 21st century, and American lawmakers are still obsessing over what rights women should have taken away from them.

This week an Oklahoma state representative described a child conceived because of incest or rape as being “beauty from the ashes” and “God’s will”. In other words, he’s nuts.

Sure, that attitude is distinctly American but not entirely. There are deep-seated attitudes floating around here too. Kiwi misogynists just don’t tend to articulate them. They operate on a different level; a quieter one. They still do damage though.

As for midwives, who are overworked, under-resourced and under-paid, they’re leaving the profession in droves. Retention rates have gone from 15 years to about six years, and stress and burnout is greater than in any other profession.

I’m not suggesting they’re above criticism. Not at all. I’m suggesting that we have a bit of a think about how we value women’s work and women.

We could start by toning down the sexism and dialling up the appreciation. And the dollars.