DESCRIPTION OF TOPIC:
Despite a growing body of postgraduate research in Midwifery, a significant proportion of academic work conducted by students in higher education, particularly those enrolled in Postgraduate or Master's programs in Midwifery/Maternal and Obstetric Health Nursing (corresponding term in Portugal), continues to lack a clear theoretical foundation rooted in midwifery science. This undermines both the conceptual coherence and scientific identity of the discipline. This presentation argues for the critical importance of embedding midwifery practice theories into the scientific work produced by these students and guides their practice in placement. A comprehensive scoping review of existing midwifery theories and their core characteristics highlights a shared conceptual framework that reflects the values, epistemology, and philosophy of the midwifery profession. This framework offers a robust foundation for research that seeks to explore, understand, and enhance midwifery practice from within the discipline itself. The findings underscore the relevance and applicability of these theories to contemporary research questions and clinical realities. Furthermore, they demonstrate the potential for theory-informed research to advance professional autonomy, contribute to the development of midwifery-specific knowledge, and ultimately improve care outcomes, for the Portuguese context.

RELEVANCE TO MIDWIFERY:
This work invites Portuguese students, educators, and policymakers to reflect on the necessity of moving beyond generic nursing or biomedical frameworks and to embrace the distinctiveness of midwifery as a science in its own right. French - SRHR (including three-minute presentation competition)