Bec Jenkinson1, Sue Kruske2, Helen Stapleton3, Michael Beckmann4, Maree Reynolds5, Sue Kildea3. 1. Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: rebecca.jenkinson@mater.uq.edu.au. 2. School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. 3. Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. 4. Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Mater Health Services, Brisbane, Australia. 5. Mater Health Services, Brisbane, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: All competent adults have the right to refuse medical treatment. When pregnant women do so, ethical and medico-legal concerns arise and women may face difficulties accessing care. Policies guiding the provision of maternity care in these circumstances are rare and unstudied. One tertiary hospital in Australia has a process for clinicians to plan non-standard maternity care via a Maternity Care Plan (MCP). AIM: To review processes and outcomes associated with MCPs from the first three and a half years of the policy's implementation. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study comprising chart audit, review of demographic data and clinical outcomes, and content analysis of MCPs. FINDINGS: MCPs (n=52) were most commonly created when women declined recommended caesareans, preferring vaginal birth after two caesareans (VBAC2, n=23; 44.2%) or vaginal breech birth (n=7, 13.5%) or when women declined continuous intrapartum monitoring for vaginal birth after one caesarean (n=8, 15.4%). Intrapartum care deviated from MCPs in 50% of cases, due to new or worsening clinical indications or changed maternal preferences. Clinical outcomes were reassuring. Most VBAC2 or VBAC>2 (69%) and vaginal breech births (96.3%) were attempted without MCPs, but women with MCPs appeared more likely to birth vaginally (VBAC2 success rate 66.7% with MCP, 17.5% without; vaginal breech birth success rate, 50% with MCP, 32.5% without). CONCLUSIONS: MCPs enabled clinicians to provide care outside of hospital policies but were utilised for a narrow range of situations, with significant variation in their application. Further research is needed to understand the experiences of women and clinicians.
BACKGROUND: All competent adults have the right to refuse medical treatment. When pregnant women do so, ethical and medico-legal concerns arise and women may face difficulties accessing care. Policies guiding the provision of maternity care in these circumstances are rare and unstudied. One tertiary hospital in Australia has a process for clinicians to plan non-standard maternity care via a Maternity Care Plan (MCP). AIM: To review processes and outcomes associated with MCPs from the first three and a half years of the policy's implementation. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study comprising chart audit, review of demographic data and clinical outcomes, and content analysis of MCPs. FINDINGS:MCPs (n=52) were most commonly created when women declined recommended caesareans, preferring vaginal birth after two caesareans (VBAC2, n=23; 44.2%) or vaginal breech birth (n=7, 13.5%) or when women declined continuous intrapartum monitoring for vaginal birth after one caesarean (n=8, 15.4%). Intrapartum care deviated from MCPs in 50% of cases, due to new or worsening clinical indications or changed maternal preferences. Clinical outcomes were reassuring. Most VBAC2 or VBAC>2 (69%) and vaginal breech births (96.3%) were attempted without MCPs, but women with MCPs appeared more likely to birth vaginally (VBAC2 success rate 66.7% with MCP, 17.5% without; vaginal breech birth success rate, 50% with MCP, 32.5% without). CONCLUSIONS:MCPs enabled clinicians to provide care outside of hospital policies but were utilised for a narrow range of situations, with significant variation in their application. Further research is needed to understand the experiences of women and clinicians.