ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how student midwives learn to understand and use practice-based reasoning by being introduced to a broad spectrum of approaches and strategies within their undergraduate education. New Zealand has a unique framework for midwifery practice providing a holistic, continuity of carer model that is accessible for most women. Feminism has played a powerful role in influencing the way that women approach decision- making in New Zealand. New Zealand is fortunate to have a no-blame accident compensation scheme under the governance of the Accident Compensation Corporation. The acquisition of decision-making skills within the undergraduate midwifery programme involves a quadripartite process where the student is introduced to and fine tunes the requisite skills whilst working with midwifery lecturer, preceptor/mentor midwife and woman/baby/family. The epistemological theme is strengthened in the third year of the programme where the integral place that research and evidence have in decision-making is consolidated.
