Perhaps due to the perception of midwifery being an inherently pleasurable pursuit, there has been
limited research of the stress and burnout midwives may experience. However, with evident
difficulties in recruiting and retaining midwives, this is an area that requires research. Therefore the
stress and burnout experienced by midwives who work in birthing suite was explored in terms of their
coping style and levels of social support and assessed in terms of the levels of stress, burnout and
compassion fatigue experienced.