Parité : hommes sage-femme

MonacoInfo

8 Nov 201903:05

Summary

TLDRSylvain, a male midwife at the Princess Grace Hospital, has been practicing for 11 years. Originally interested in psychiatry, he discovered his passion for midwifery after a discussion with the director of the midwifery school in Nice. Despite being one of the few men in a female-dominated field, Sylvain feels no difference working alongside his female colleagues. He takes pride in supporting women during childbirth, building trust, and guiding future midwives. His dedication has made him a respected figure in the maternity ward, and he hopes to inspire more men to join the profession.

Takeaways

👨‍⚕️ Sylvain has worked at the maternity unit of Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace for 11 years but is neither a doctor nor a nurse; he is a male midwife.
👶 Originally wanting to pursue psychiatry, Sylvain enrolled in medical school but switched to midwifery after discussing with the school director.
🤝 Sylvain was drawn to midwifery because of its focus on supporting and accompanying women, especially during childbirth.
💼 He alternates between working in the delivery room and postpartum care, helping mothers before and after childbirth.
💪 Being a male in a predominantly female profession is not a disadvantage for Sylvain, and he feels no difference from his female colleagues.
🧑‍🏫 Sylvain takes on a mentoring role by training Emma, a young student midwife, and emphasizes the importance of practical skills during childbirth.
🔄 Before 1982, the midwifery profession was closed to men in France, but today men represent 3% of the 23,000 midwives in the country.
🕒 Building trust with patients is crucial for Sylvain, who believes that gender does not matter when caring for someone during vulnerable times like childbirth.
🙌 He finds great fulfillment when patients express gratitude for his care, considering it the best reward.
🚀 Sylvain hopes to inspire other men to join the midwifery profession and broaden its representation.

Q & A

Who is Sylvain and what is his profession?
-Sylvain is a male midwife working at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace in Monaco. He has been in the profession for 11 years.
Why did Sylvain choose to become a midwife?
-Initially, Sylvain wanted to pursue psychiatry but after talking to the director of the school of midwifery in Nice, he realized that midwifery aligned with his desire to provide care and support, particularly through accompanying women during childbirth.
How does Sylvain describe the role of a midwife?
-Sylvain highlights that holding a woman's hand during childbirth is a significant part of the job, emphasizing emotional support and the importance of building trust with the patient.
What challenges does Sylvain face as a male midwife in a predominantly female profession?
-Sylvain does not see being a man as a disadvantage. He mentions that there is no significant difference between him and his female colleagues and that patients generally appreciate his calm and professional demeanor, regardless of his gender.
How common are male midwives in France?
-Male midwives are rare. In 2018, out of approximately 23,000 midwives in France, only 3% were men.
What is Sylvain's relationship with the team at the hospital?
-Sylvain built a strong relationship with the team at the hospital through successive internships, which helped both him and the team to know each other better, making his eventual hiring process smoother.
What special task does Sylvain have in the video?
-Sylvain is tasked with training Emma, a young student midwife, taking his role as a mentor very seriously.
How does Sylvain ensure patient comfort during childbirth?
-Sylvain emphasizes the importance of creating a trusting relationship with his patients and ensuring they feel supported throughout the process. He believes this trust is crucial, especially during long labor.
What does Sylvain consider the most rewarding aspect of his job?
-Sylvain finds the most rewarding part of his job to be when patients thank him and the team for their support during childbirth, as it reflects the positive impact of their care.
What future goals does Sylvain have for his profession?
-Sylvain hopes to inspire more men to consider midwifery as a career, aiming to break down the gender stereotypes associated with the profession.

Outlines

00:00

👶 Sylvain: A Male Midwife Breaking Barriers

Sylvain, a 35-year-old midwife at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, has been working in the maternity unit for eleven years. Initially interested in psychiatry, he shifted paths after meeting with the director of a midwifery school in Nice. Despite having no prior knowledge of the profession, he was drawn to the idea of supporting women through childbirth, leading him to become a midwife. Sylvain splits his time between the delivery room and postnatal care, where he assists new mothers. Being a man in a predominantly female profession has never been an obstacle for him, and he is well integrated into his team at the hospital. Sylvain emphasizes that holding a woman’s hand during childbirth is a crucial part of his role, highlighting the importance of emotional support in his work.

🏥 Overcoming Gender Prejudices in Maternity Care

Historically, the midwifery profession was closed to men until 1982, but Sylvain proves that men can succeed in this field. He is currently the only male midwife in Monaco’s maternity unit, and in 2018, only 3% of midwives in France were men. Despite this, Sylvain has faced no challenges being the only man in his department. He has built strong relationships with his colleagues and patients, who appreciate his calm and supportive demeanor during stressful times like late-night hospital admissions. For him, the true reward is when a patient thanks the team for their care during such a vulnerable moment in their life.

🎓 Mentoring the Next Generation of Midwives

On this particular day, Sylvain is tasked with training Emma, a young student from the midwifery school. He takes his responsibility seriously and begins by teaching her the basics, such as keeping the baby warm immediately after birth. He stresses that establishing trust with patients is critical, especially during long deliveries. Sylvain’s relaxed approach puts his patients at ease, regardless of his gender. His goal is to guide them through the childbirth experience and provide the best care possible.

✨ The Satisfaction of Patient Gratitude

Sylvain believes that receiving a thank you from a patient is the highest form of appreciation in his profession. He finds immense satisfaction in knowing that he and his team were there for their patients during a pivotal time in their lives. For him, this acknowledgment is the ultimate reward, reinforcing his passion for his work in maternity care.

🌱 Inspiring Future Generations of Male Midwives

As a respected member of Monaco’s maternity unit, Sylvain hopes to encourage more men to consider midwifery as a career. He wants to break down stereotypes and inspire others by showcasing that men can excel in this traditionally female-dominated field. His ambition is to foster a more inclusive environment in the profession, allowing future male midwives to thrive just as he has.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sage-femme

A 'sage-femme' refers to a midwife, a professional trained to assist women during childbirth and provide postpartum care. In the video, Sylvain is a male midwife, which is rare in his profession. His journey into this field underscores the non-traditional path for men in midwifery, challenging gender stereotypes. The term emphasizes the nurturing and supportive role of midwives, regardless of gender.

💡Maternité

'Maternité' refers to the maternity ward where childbirth and postpartum care are provided. Sylvain works in the maternity unit, alternating between delivery rooms and postpartum care, where he supports mothers before, during, and after childbirth. The concept highlights the setting of Sylvain’s profession and the emotional and physical care offered to new mothers.

💡Préjugés

'Préjugés' means prejudices or biases. The video highlights how Sylvain, being a man in a traditionally female profession, faces societal prejudices. However, Sylvain doesn’t see gender as a handicap in his role, emphasizing that his ability to perform his duties is what truly matters, challenging gendered expectations in the healthcare field.

💡Accompagnement

'Accompagnement' refers to the act of providing support and guidance, particularly in a medical or emotional context. In the video, Sylvain stresses how much of his job as a midwife involves accompanying women through the childbirth process, holding their hand, and offering reassurance. This concept encapsulates the empathetic and supportive nature of midwifery.

💡Formation

'Formation' means training or education. In the video, Sylvain is tasked with training Emma, a young student at the midwifery school. His role in forming the next generation of midwives illustrates his commitment to the profession and the importance of mentorship and knowledge transfer in healthcare.

💡Confiance

'Confiance' translates to trust. Sylvain mentions the importance of establishing a relationship of trust with his patients, as childbirth is a deeply personal and vulnerable experience. Trust between the midwife and the patient is crucial for a positive birth experience, and Sylvain strives to build this rapport regardless of gender.

💡Salles d'accouchement

'Salles d'accouchement' refers to delivery rooms where childbirth takes place. Sylvain spends part of his time working in these rooms, assisting women during labor. The concept of the delivery room is central to his profession as a midwife, where he provides crucial medical and emotional support during childbirth.

💡Centre hospitalier Princesse Grace

The 'Centre hospitalier Princesse Grace' (CHPG) is the hospital in Monaco where Sylvain works. This hospital is the setting for much of the video’s narrative, showcasing the environment in which Sylvain practices as a midwife. The hospital represents not just a place of work, but also where Sylvain integrates into the team and builds his professional reputation.

💡Psychiatrie

'Psychiatrie' refers to psychiatry, the field of medicine focused on mental health. Sylvain initially planned to pursue psychiatry before discovering midwifery. His shift from psychiatry to midwifery reflects a significant change in his professional ambitions, leading him to find fulfillment in a field he had not previously considered.

💡Vocation

'Vocation' refers to a person's calling or strong sense of suitability for a particular career. Sylvain discusses his desire to inspire other men to consider midwifery as a profession, aiming to break down gender barriers and encourage a more diverse workforce in the field. His passion for midwifery is deeply tied to his sense of vocation, which he hopes to share with others.

Highlights

Sylvain has worked in the maternity department for 11 years and is one of the few men in the profession.

Initially, Sylvain aimed to pursue psychiatry but shifted to midwifery after a conversation with the director of the school of midwifery in Nice.

Midwifery was historically a female-dominated profession, with men being prohibited from practicing until 1982.

In 2018, only 3% of midwives in France were men, highlighting the rarity of Sylvain's position.

Sylvain feels there is no significant difference between him and his female colleagues, emphasizing his integration in the team.

His work is split between assisting in childbirth and caring for mothers in postpartum recovery.

Sylvain highlights the importance of establishing trust with his patients during childbirth, regardless of gender.

He takes pride in his role when patients express gratitude after being supported through their maternity experience.

Sylvain regularly mentors students, including Emma, a student midwife, taking his role as an educator seriously.

During childbirth, he stresses the importance of keeping the newborn warm immediately after delivery to ensure the baby's safety.

Despite being a man in a female-dominated profession, Sylvain feels his gender does not impact his ability to care for patients.

Sylvain reflects on how his journey into midwifery was unexpected, as he had no prior knowledge of the profession before his studies.

He emphasizes that the personal connection and emotional support offered during childbirth is a major part of a midwife’s job.

Sylvain hopes to inspire more men to enter the field of midwifery, breaking the gender norms associated with the profession.

He has become a respected figure in the maternity ward and continuously works to challenge preconceptions about men in midwifery.