ABSTRACT
The story of the struggle contains some fascinating examples of the birth centre staff challenging the assumptions behind centralizing birth provision, and not backing down in the face of bureaucratic decision making. In the process, it reveals some important strategies of resistance that were ultimately effective in confronting institutional power. Initial information from the health authority about the possible closure was communicated as an option appraisal exercise. It was apparently lower ranked managers who chaired the public meetings, and only after several months did the midwives realize that they were not the prime decision makers. The staff evolved strategies to counter these obstacles. Friere's concept of 'conscientisation' is helpful in examining the changes in the staff following the successful struggle to secure the centre's future. Friere's analysis was based on his experience of working with poor and illiterate communities in Brazil and his focus was on education.
