ABSTRACTThis article describes the experiences of 11 staffcnms practicing in an inner‐city hospital serving low‐income women. A history of the conflicts between theob/gynDepartment and the Midwifery Service at Boston City Hospital is presented, as well as an overview of events in 1987‐88 that resulted in the unanimous resignation of the staffcnms and the closing of the service. Discussion of the issues is presented, as well as implications for midwifery pra