Suzanne M Thompson1, Marianne J Nieuwenhuijze2, Lisa Kane Low3, Raymond de Vries4. 1. Research Centre for Midwifery Science, Maastricht, Zuyd University, PO Box 1256, 6201 BG Maastricht, The Netherlands; CAPHRI, School of Public Health and Primary Care Maastricht, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: s.thompson@av-m.nl. 2. Research Centre for Midwifery Science, Maastricht, Zuyd University, PO Box 1256, 6201 BG Maastricht, The Netherlands. 3. School of Nursing and Department of Women's Studies, University of Michigan, 400 North Ingalls Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482, USA. 4. Research Centre for Midwifery Science, Maastricht, Zuyd University, PO Box 1256, 6201 BG Maastricht, The Netherlands; CAPHRI, School of Public Health and Primary Care Maastricht, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: to describe Dutch midwives' attitudes toward, and motivations for, the promotion of physiological childbirth and to identify factors associated with those attitudes and motivations. DESIGN: exploratory, qualitative design using focus groups. SETTING: The Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: hospital- and community-based midwives. FINDINGS: four themes emerged: physiological birth as a continuum, navigating the settings, woman-centeredness and competence and confidence. Midwives view the safeguarding and promotion of physiological childbirth as central to their role. They define physiological childbirth along a continuum that is related to the context of their practice. Hospital culture is seen as an inhibitor of practices that promote physiological birth. Midwives believe that woman-centred ways of working and challenging practices that are not evidence-based will promote physiological childbirth. KEY CONCLUSIONS: in order to become competent and confident practitioners of physiological childbirth midwives need to be aware of the factors that inhibit and encourage practices that support this way of giving birth. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: midwives should consciously employ strategies that promote physiological birth in both home and hospital settings. Midwifery education and midwifery science research should focus on developing strategies that support midwives in this endeavor.
OBJECTIVE: to describe Dutch midwives' attitudes toward, and motivations for, the promotion of physiological childbirth and to identify factors associated with those attitudes and motivations. DESIGN: exploratory, qualitative design using focus groups. SETTING: The Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: hospital- and community-based midwives. FINDINGS: four themes emerged: physiological birth as a continuum, navigating the settings, woman-centeredness and competence and confidence. Midwives view the safeguarding and promotion of physiological childbirth as central to their role. They define physiological childbirth along a continuum that is related to the context of their practice. Hospital culture is seen as an inhibitor of practices that promote physiological birth. Midwives believe that woman-centred ways of working and challenging practices that are not evidence-based will promote physiological childbirth. KEY CONCLUSIONS: in order to become competent and confident practitioners of physiological childbirth midwives need to be aware of the factors that inhibit and encourage practices that support this way of giving birth. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: midwives should consciously employ strategies that promote physiological birth in both home and hospital settings. Midwifery education and midwifery science research should focus on developing strategies that support midwives in this endeavor.
Authors: Suzanne M Thompson; Marianne J Nieuwenhuijze; Luc Budé; Raymond de Vries; Lisa Kane Low Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2018-04-16 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Jessica U Ramlakhan; Angel M Foster; Sherry L Grace; Courtney R Green; Donna E Stewart; Anna R Gagliardi Journal: Int J Equity Health Date: 2019-11-26
Authors: Dirkje C Zondag; Tamar M van Haaren-Ten Haken; Pien M Offerhaus; Veronique Y F Maas; Marianne J Nieuwenhuijze Journal: Eur J Midwifery Date: 2022-09-01
Authors: Darie O A Daemers; Evelien B M van Limbeek; Hennie A A Wijnen; Marianne J Nieuwenhuijze; Raymond G de Vries Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2017-10-06 Impact factor: 3.007