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Abstract Context Working with women to best meet their needs has always been central to midwifery in Quebec, Canada. The creation of birthing centres at the end of the 1990s consolidated this desire to prioritize women’s involvement in perinatal care and was intended to encourage the establishment of a care and services partnership between care providers and users. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the perceptions of clients, midwives and birth assistants of the way in which women are involved in partnership working in Quebec birthing centres. Methods A single qualitative case and pilot study was conducted with midwives (n = 5), birth assistants (n = 4), a manager (n = 1), clients (n = 5) and members of the users’ committee (n = 2) at a birthing centre in Quebec, Canada in July and August 2023. The partnership was evaluated using the dimensions of a validated CADICEE questionnaire. Results The women and professionals stressed that the relationship was established in a climate of trust. The caregivers also attached importance to autonomy, information sharing and decision-making, adaptation to context, empathy and recognition of the couple’s expertise. The women confirmed that they establish a relationship of trust with the professionals when the latter show empathy and that they adapt the follow-up to their knowledge and life context. Key factors in establishing this kind of care relationship are the time given, a de-medicalized environment, the comprehensive care received, and professionals who are well-informed about the partnership. In addition, the birthing centre has a users’ committee that can put forward ideas but has no decision-making powers. Conclusions Both the women and the professionals at the birthing centre appear to be working in partnership. However, at the organizational level, the women are not involved in decision-making. A study of all birthing centres in Quebec would provide a more comprehensive picture of the situation.

Objective: This study aimed to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Perinatal Missed Care Survey in China. Methods: The Perinatal Missed Care Survey was translated according to the guidelines of the cross-cultural debugging scale recommended by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Evidence-Based Medicine Committee, including forward translation, back translation, cultural adaption, and content validation, and its Chinese version was used in a cross-sectional study conducted from February to April in 2023. A total of 491 midwives from 14 different level hospitals in southwest China were recruited through a convenience sampling method. The discrimination ability of the items was tested through item analysis, and construct validity was assessed through exploratory factory and confirmatory factor analyses. The content validity index and Cronbach’s α coefficients evaluated content validity and reliability, respectively. Results: The Chinese version’s item–total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.641 to 0.866 in part A and from 0.644 to 0.819 in part B (P

Background Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 17% of the women worldwide with nearly half of all cases going undetected. More research on maternal mental health, particularly among healthcare professionals and pregnant mothers, could help identify PPD risks and reduce its prevalence. Objective Given that awareness of PPD is a crucial preventive factor, we studied PPD awareness among midwives and pregnant women in Arkhangelsk, Arctic Russia. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Midwives and pregnant women were recruited from the women’s clinic of the Arkhangelsk municipal polyclinic. Seven midwives and 12 pregnant mothers were interviewed. Results Midwives described limited time for psychological counselling of pregnant women; they reported that their primary focus was on the physiological well-being of women. Pregnant women have expressed a desire for their families to share responsibilities. The participants considered PPD as a mix of psychological and physiological symptoms, and they also highlighted a discrepancy between the expectations of pregnant women and the reality of motherhood. The present study underscored the limited understanding of PPD identification. Conclusions The findings suggest that there is a need for increased awareness among midwives and pregnant women regarding PPD. Prevention programs targeting PPD with a specific emphasis on enhancing maternal mental health knowledge are warranted.

Background: There are recommendations based on scientific evidence on care in the second stage of labor, but it is not known to what degree the professionals comply with these recommendations. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the variability in clinical practices among midwives during the second stage of labor, including positions, mobility, practices, and the maximum time allowed before initiating active pushing, and to assess their adherence to clinical practice guidelines. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study. A self-designed questionnaire was developed and distributed online through scientific societies. The main variables studied were professional and work environment characteristics, maternal positions and mobility, practices during this stage, maximum time to start active pushing and duration of the second stage of labor. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS 24.0. Results: Regarding the woman's position during childbirth, 80.3% (245) of midwives frequently or always allow the woman to choose her birthing position. Furthermore, 44.6% (136) of professionals prefer using side-lying positions for the mother. Regarding drinking fluids during childbirth, 51.1% (156) of midwives allowed the woman to drink the amount of liquids she wanted, whereas 11.1% (34) said that they would allow them to do so however, this was against the protocol of their hospital. When inquiring about the Kristeller maneuver, it was reported to be excessively performed in 35.1% (107) of cases for fetal bradycardia, 33.1% (101) for maternal exhaustion, and 38.4% (117) to avoid instrumental birth. Finally, a great variability was observed in the time criteria used for the initiation of active pushing and the maximum duration of the second stage of labor. Conclusions: Certain practices, such as the Kristeller maneuver, are overused among midwives, with great variability in the use of certain procedures, the waiting times to initiate pushing and completion of the second stage of labor. Further training and awareness campaigns are needed for professionals to apply evidence-based care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women of childbearing age feel great about giving birth, but the pain could be excruciating depending on their pain tolerances. Midwives requires obstetrical knowledge and skills such as pain management during labour and safety. We explored midwives’ perspectives on the utilisation of pharmacological pain alleviation interventions during labour in selected hospitals in Matjhabeng Municipality, Free State province, South Africa. A qualitative study was undertaken, involving a sample of ten midwives, using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Tesch’s open coding data analysis method was applied to analyse the data. The midwives were restricted to use Pethidine and Phenergan prescribed by doctors for labour pain relief, which disrupted labour pain management and obliged them either to wait for a physician or follow telephone instructions. According to the midwives, women taking Pethidine and Phenergan encountered adverse effects and discomfort. Midwives identified high workload, inadequate personnel, lack of skill and knowledge, lack of medication availability, and lack of infrastructure as the primary challenges of administering pharmacological methods to women in labour. The lack of standing orders, which delays the administration of medications pending a physician’s prescription, constituted an additional difficulty. In the instance that Pethidine and Phenergan were unavailable or ineffective for some women, the midwives recommended that women be administered alternative pharmacological pain relievers. They also advocated for institutionalization of pharmacological guidelines allowing them to use their discretion when treating labour pain. Midwives can only utilise a few standardised and regulated pharmacological medications for labour pain management. The midwives’ ability to administer pharmacological pain relief during labour was hampered by a high workload burden, insufficient staff, lack of skill and understanding, drug unavailability, and inadequate infrastructure. Midwives advocated for supported guidelines that would allow them to treat labour pain at their discretion. Intersectoral stakeholders are required to improve midwife skills and attitudes. Health facilities need to train and supply analgesics to midwives. Midwives ought to be familiar with pharmacological pain relievers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Working with women to best meet their needs has always been central to midwifery in Quebec, Canada. The creation of birthing centres at the end of the 1990s consolidated this desire to prioritize women's involvement in perinatal care and was intended to encourage the establishment of a care and services partnership between care providers and users. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the perceptions of clients, midwives and birth assistants of the way in which women are involved in partnership working in Quebec birthing centres. Methods: A single qualitative case and pilot study was conducted with midwives (n = 5), birth assistants (n = 4), a manager (n = 1), clients (n = 5) and members of the users' committee (n = 2) at a birthing centre in Quebec, Canada in July and August 2023. The partnership was evaluated using the dimensions of a validated CADICEE questionnaire. Results: The women and professionals stressed that the relationship was established in a climate of trust. The caregivers also attached importance to autonomy, information sharing and decision-making, adaptation to context, empathy and recognition of the couple's expertise. The women confirmed that they establish a relationship of trust with the professionals when the latter show empathy and that they adapt the follow-up to their knowledge and life context. Key factors in establishing this kind of care relationship are the time given, a de-medicalized environment, the comprehensive care received, and professionals who are well-informed about the partnership. In addition, the birthing centre has a users' committee that can put forward ideas but has no decision-making powers. Conclusions: Both the women and the professionals at the birthing centre appear to be working in partnership. However, at the organizational level, the women are not involved in decision-making. A study of all birthing centres in Quebec would provide a more comprehensive picture of the situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Norway, antenatal care is delivered free of charge in the municipality. Satisfaction with care is considered to be an important predictor of utilization of health care. The aim of this study was to examine women's satisfaction with antenatal care, and to identify factors that predict overall satisfaction with the service. Methods: A total of 611 women completed a survey that collected information on demographic variables, pregnancy variables, and aspects of antenatal care; it also contained one open‐ended question. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to predict Overall Satisfaction with antenatal care based on four specific scales: User Participation, Accessibility, Information, and Midwife, adjusted for demographic variables. Results: Survey responses showed that 95% of women were satisfied with antenatal care in general. The expectant mother's age, having Norwegian as the native language, and the scales User Participation, Information, and Midwife were all significant predictors of Overall Satisfaction with antenatal care. The open‐ended user comments underlined the important role of midwifes in antenatal care. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that women who attended antenatal care in Norway were satisfied with the care they received. Midwives had an important role, and their relational and professional competence was highly valuated by expectant mothers. The findings also suggest that there are still opportunities to improve satisfaction with antenatal care, for example, by increasing the focus on mental health during antenatal consultations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Midwives have important responsibilities to protect the health of mothers and children from the negative effects of climate change. This research was conducted to determine how midwives perceived climate change, the effects of climate change on maternal and child health, and what midwives could do to combat these effects. The research was designed as a case study, one of the qualitative research designs. The research sample consisted of 11 midwives selected by snowball sampling, which is one of the non-random sampling methods. The data obtained were collected under five main themes. The themes were determined as "(I) the causes of climate change, (II) concerns about the consequences of climate change, (III) the effects of climate change on mother-child health, (IV) measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, and (V) midwives' role in protecting mother-child health against the effects of climate change." Midwives are knowledgeable about climate change. They are aware of the effects of climate change on maternal and child health and they are doing some practices in this regard (breastfeeding, promoting the regulation of fertility and adequate/balanced nutrition, etc.). Midwives are aware of the importance of the midwifery profession in raising awareness of the individual and society, in addressing the effects of climate change on human health and in reducing the negative effects of climate change on health, and they want to take action at the national level (with the support of the midwifery organization and the state) for the sustainability of health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Midwives all over the world have had to adapt to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The issue of how they managed to support birthing women, despite the use of PPE, has been insufficiently studied. Midwives support birthing women in one of their most life-changing situations. Having COVID-19 at the time of childbirth makes birthing women even more vulnerable. PPE has been shown to impact the ability of providing support to birthing women. To describe midwives' strategies for supporting birthing women while working in full PPE A qualitative study based on focus group discussons with Swedish midwives. Data were analysed by inductive content analysis. To support birthing women while in full PPE, the midwives adapted existing working methods, increased collaboration with colleagues, unveiled, adapted to the requirements for contagion prevention, addressed women's concern for the midwife and maintained focus on the birth while remaining mindful of the risk of contagion. Midwives adopted strategies in order to uphold provision of support to the birthing women, as well as to address contextual factors related to PPE that hinder provision of support. The respective effects of different PPE types and models on the birth experience should be explored. Explicit strategies for supporting birthing women while working in full PPE must be created and discussed among midwives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behaviours, such as smoking, alcohol use, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity and vaccination non-adherence may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Pregnancy has been identified as an opportune time for midwives to support women to make health behaviour changes. To synthesise existing qualitative research exploring midwives' experiences of discussing health behaviour change with women within routine care. A systematic search was conducted across: Maternity and Infant Care, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts. Thematic analysis was used to synthesise the data. A professional and public advisory group provided feedback during the synthesis stage. Twenty-two studies, published between 2005 and 2023, which represented findings from eight countries, were included in the review. The meta-synthesis revealed three themes: The midwife-woman relationship; Reflective and tailored behaviour change communication; Practical barriers to behaviour change conversations. This led to one overarching theme: Although midwives recognised the importance of behaviour change discussions, these conversations were not prioritised in clinical practice. Health behaviour change discussions were de-prioritised in midwives' clinical practice. Future research should explore intervention development to support midwives with their health behaviour change communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One in five women will experience perinatal anxiety and/or depression. In South Australia, a rural health service identified a high proportion of women with risk of perinatal mental health challenges and sought additional education for midwives. In response, a six-week facilitated, online perinatal mental health education program (e-PMHEP) was piloted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the (e-PMHEP) for rural midwives, nurses and Aboriginal maternal infant care practitioners. Program evaluation incorporated a validated online pre/post survey to assess self-reported knowledge, skill and confidence regarding perinatal mental healthcare. Additional questions sought feedback on satisfaction and feasibility. Sixteen participants from rural South Australia engaged in the project from June to August 2022. Twelve participants completed the online pre/post survey. The overall pre/post knowledge scores were statistically significant (t = 2.73, 8df, p = 0.025) with improvement from the pre to post-test. Pre/post data also showed a measurable increase in confidence and skills. All respondents agreed that the content addressed their learning needs and would recommend this program to other practitioners. The e-PMHEP appeared beneficial in developing knowledge, skills and confidence regarding perinatal mental healthcare in rural midwives and practitioners. Only a third of practitioners routinely developed a mental health care plan with women. Key strengths of the program included the accessible content, and the combination of an experienced mental health clinician and a facilitator with lived experience. Providing an accessible, facilitated online perinatal mental health education program could be beneficial for rural midwives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION The profession of a midwife, despite its long tradition in Poland, is still not widely known in the society. Both in terms of the competencies and roles, it is often confused with other medical professions such as nurses or gynecologists. In this study, we assessed the knowledge of women in Poland on the profession of a midwife. The aim of the research project was to obtain detailed data on the knowledge of women regarding the specific professional competencies of midwives. METHODS The study used the method of a cross-sectional survey. A survey of 1134 adult Polish women was conducted. A 20-item questionnaire was developed with fourteen of the questions being based on the midwife’s professional competencies. The study was conducted in 2019 and the questionnaire was distributed through various social groups for Polish women. RESULTS Knowledge about the professional competencies of midwives increases proportionally to the level of the education of the respondents, their age and the scope of cooperation with midwives. The most well-known forms of midwifery were those related to lactation education (78.7%) and puerperal care (78.9%). The lowest rates, among other results, were prescribing drugs (23.1%) and collecting samples for cervical cytology (24.4%). CONCLUSIONS The profession of a midwife in Poland is insufficiently popularized. Competencies shared with doctors require more dissemination. It is worth paying particular attention to the promotion of the profession in younger age groups, so that women can use their knowledge at subsequent stages of their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION There have been significant changes in the work environment of midwives, such as the establishment of prenatal medical centers and shared wards for obstetrics and other departments. These changes in the work environment pose a psychological burden on midwives. Under these circumstances, the concept of work engagement is essential for overcoming the ensuing difficulties. However, no studies have yet investigated midwives working in prenatal medical centers in Japan. This study examined the factors affecting work engagement among midwives working in prenatal medical centers in Japan. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 498 midwives working at prenatal medical centers nationwide was conducted. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal- Wallis test, correlation analysis using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis as linear regression. RESULTS The median of work engagement score was 3.00 (IQR: 2.40–3.60). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that professional identity (β=0.494, p<0.001), resilience (β=0.243, p<0.001), presence of in-hospital midwifery in the facility (β=0.138, p<0.011), and age (β=0.085, p=0.021) were significant. The adjusted R2 value was 0.490 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS These results offer management insights into improving work engagement among midwives working in prenatal medical centers in Japan. The proposed measures include hospital/ward administrators establishing the professional identity of midwives and providing them with opportunities to demonstrate their expertise, for instance, within in-hospital midwifery systems at perinatal medical centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Midwifery & Health Sciences is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Midwifery & Health Sciences is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Midwifery & Health Sciences is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim. The postpartum period is very demanding due to hormonal changes, changing social roles and financial concerns, i.e., factors affecting a woman´s mental health and quality of life. Midwifery care also includes interventions in this area of holistic care. This study aims to identify and describe midwifery interventions focussing on moderating mental disorders by women in the postpartum period. Methods. A scoping review designed following PRISMA – ScR guidelines in databases Science Direct, Web of Science and PubMed was conducted in 2022. Results. The analyses of articles identified ten interventions, which were further merged into five categories: Use of measuring scale in women´s care; Support of the mother–child relationship; Education of women, counselling for women; Midwife – support for women; Visit of a midwife in women´s home environment. All interventions, except for the use of measuring scales, use communication skills. Conclusions. The analysed studies outlined a wide variety of non-pharmacological interventions midwives use to care for women with mental disorders during the postpartum period. Midwives use communication skills, education, support, and encouragement to make women feel safe and secure and thus improve their mental postpartum experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID pandemic prompted an increase in the use of digital clinical consultations (telephone or video calls) within midwifery and nursing care. This paper reports on a realist review project related to maternity care that seeks to illuminate for whom such consultations can safely and acceptably be used, how, for what purposes and in what contexts. Aims: This paper addresses the first phase of a realist enquiry – initial programme theory development – focusing particularly on the role of stakeholder involvement (including digital transformation leaders, midwives, obstetricians, service users and community organisations). Methods: Three sub-stages of initial programme theory development are described highlighting the contribution of stakeholder groups to each stage: (i) consultation to focus the review question, (ii) focused searching and (iii) further consultation. Results: Realist literature searching strategies yielded limited theory-rich evidence on digital consultations. Stakeholders provided essential additional contributions resulting in the development of 13 initial programme theories and a conceptual framework. Conclusions: More research on the implementation of virtual midwifery/nursing consultations is needed. Nursing/midwifery digital researchers should involve stakeholders to help shape research priorities, deepen contextual understanding and sense-check emerging findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to analyze the relationship between maternal positions during the expulsion phase and perineal outcomes in 367 eutocic births attended by midwives or midwifery residents at a public hospital in northern Spain in 2018. A total of 94.3% of women opted for horizontal positions. Limited sacral retroversion was observed in 71.7%, potentially influencing perineal outcomes. A low incidence of tears indicated effective management during the expulsive phase, with an episiotomy rate of 15.3%, which was slightly above the 15% standard. Primiparity and maternal age were identified as risk factors associated with episiotomy. Additionally, sacral mobilization and vertical positions during delivery were significantly related to fewer perineal injuries, suggesting benefits for both mother and newborn. The correlation between maternal positions and the need for epidural analgesia highlighted the importance of considering these in pain management during childbirth. Despite limitations, the study provides valuable insight into obstetric practices and advocates for a woman-centered approach that respects autonomy during childbirth. Further research is needed to explore biomechanical parameters and enhance childbirth experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethical climate is one of the important factors in the working climate of the hospital. Considering the difference in the Ethical climate in different departments of the hospital and the importance of the ethical climate in the delivery ward, this study aimed to assess the characteristics of hospital ethical climate in delivery ward of educational hospitals in southeast Iran. This descriptive and multi-center study was conducted from 2020 to 2021 in educational hospitals in southeast Iran. Two hundred forty midwives working in delivery wards, midwifery instructors, and midwifery students were included in the study by census method. Data collection tools included a demographic information form, Olson's Hospital Ethical Climate Survey, completed using the self-report method. The mean ethical climate in the midwifery group (3.82 ± 0.63 out of 5) was higher than in the instructors' and students' groups. The lowest mean score obtained from the ethical climate questionnaire of participants was associated with the inability to use their experiences in the delivery ward. The lowest mean of ethical climate from the midwives' point of view is the Physicians' dimension and the patient's dimension from the instructors' point of view. The highest mean score belonged to the ethical climate of the supervisors. According to the results of the present study, it is suggested to implement protective laws to support the higher independence of midwives to improve the ethical climates by using their experiences in the delivery department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While standardized assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to gestational diabetes and hypertension is possible with a valid tool, existing research remains limited. This prospective validation study aimed to develop and validate a novel tool to assess the KAP of midwives and obstetric nurses. We included 125 midwives and obstetric nurses who routinely care for patients with gestational diabetes and hypertension. The tool demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha): knowledge (0.729, 95% CI, 0.654-0.776), attitude (0.756, 95% CI, 0.690-0.814), and practices (0.925, 95% CI, 0.905-0.943). Difficulty indices (d) ranged from 0.38 to 0.99 (knowledge), 0.41 to 0.99 (attitudes), and 0.41 to 0.93 (practices), indicating appropriate item difficulty. Discrimination indices (D) confirmed items could differentiate between respondents with low and high knowledge levels (D range: 0.02-0.77 for knowledge, 0.06-0.64 for attitudes, 0.20-0.84 for practices). The robust psychometric properties of this tool support its use in future research on KAP related to diabetes and gestational hypertension management in midwives and nurses. This instrument has the potential to be valuable in various settings, including baseline assessment before educational programs or evaluation of learning outcomes after interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia, there is a lack of accurate data on midwifery workforce staffing and skill mix, which in turn hinders workforce policy and planning. To describe the current staffing levels of the midwifery workforce in Victoria, Australia, explore workforce challenges and assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on staffing. Cross-sectional. Midwifery managers in all public and private maternity services in Victoria, Australia were invited to complete a survey exploring midwifery staffing numbers and adequacy. Topics explored included midwifery turnover, recruitment, and skill mix. Descriptive statistics were used. The survey was open March to October 2021, and 56 % (38/68) of managers responded. Of these, 76 % reported inadequate midwifery staff levels, with deficits ranging from one to 19 estimated Full-Time Equivalent (EFT) midwives, with a combined total deficit of 135 EFT. In the 12 months prior to the survey, 73 % of services had found it difficult to recruit midwives, with increased difficulty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Managers were concerned about retaining and recruiting 'experienced' midwives due to an ageing workforce and high turnover due to work/life imbalance and job dissatisfaction. These issues have led to a predominantly early career midwifery workforce and created concern about skill mix. Victorian maternity services have a midwifery workforce shortage and are experiencing significant skill mix issues. The pandemic has exacerbated these considerable gaps in the workforce. Urgent implementation of retention and recruitment schemes are needed, along with strategies to improve the working conditions for the current workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast milk is the optimal and essential source of nutrients for babies. Many women, however, do not breastfeed or stop early after giving birth, often due to lack of support. For newborns delivered by caesarean section, there is often a delay, or no skin-to-skin contact after birth; thus, early breastfeeding is not achieved. Separation, complementary feeding or pacifier use also limits the mother's ability to breastfeed. A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted. Sociodemographic data, the mode of delivery and postpartum circumstances, information on breastfeeding, and the method and duration of feeding were collected (n = 2008). Two-thirds of children born by caesarean section did not have skin-to-skin contact after birth (p < 0.001). Lack of rooming-in placement increased the incidence of more frequent complementary feeding (p < 0.001) and shortened the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (p < 0.001). The duration of breastfeeding may also be negatively affected by scheduled feeding (p = 0.007) and pacifier utilization (p < 0.001). The mode of delivery and postpartum circumstances directly affecting the mother and the newborn can affect the feasibility of breastfeeding and the duration of exclusive and partial breastfeeding. For positive breastfeeding outcomes, skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth, rooming-in and unrestricted, demand breastfeeding, as well as the avoidance of the use of pacifiers, are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: A lack of programs to develop clinician knowledge and confidence to address weight gain within pregnancy is a barrier to the provision of evidence‐based care. Aim: To examine the reach and effectiveness of the Healthy Pregnancy Healthy Baby online health professional training program. Methods: A prospective observational evaluation applied the reach and effectiveness elements of the RE‐AIM framework. Health professionals from a range of disciplines and locations were invited to complete questionnaires before and after program completion assessing objective knowledge and perceived confidence around aspects of supporting healthy pregnancy weight gain, and process measures. Results: There were 7577 views across all pages over a year period, accessed by participants across 22 Queensland locations. Pre‐ and post‐ training questionnaires were completed 217 and 135 times, respectively. The proportion of participants with scores over 85% and of 100% for objective knowledge was higher post training (P ≤.001). Perceived confidence improved across all areas for 88%–96% of those who completed the post‐ training questionnaire. All respondents would recommend the training to others. Conclusions: Clinicians from a range of disciplines, experience and locations accessed and valued the training, and knowledge of, and confidence in delivering care to support healthy pregnancy weight gain improved after completion. So What?: This effective program to build the capacity of clinicians to support healthy pregnancy weight gain offers a model for online, flexible training highly valued by clinicians. Its adoption and promotion could standardise the support provided to women to encourage healthy weight gain during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More and more teachers of higher education are entering doctoral studies. This seems to be related to the process of universitarisation. Are there other reasons? How do they manage to stay involved when they are returning to study and have to reconcile their training with their other life trajectories? This article focuses on the specific case of midwifery teachers. We conducted longitudinal qualitative research with interviews of 15 midwifery teachers who were in the process of completing their doctorate at one year intervals. The results show that they see their commitment as an investment in their profession and in the science of midwifery. Despite the difficulties they face, they show stamina. We identify factors influencing their continued commitment and mental health, such as recognition of doctoral work by others and a supportive relationship with their supervisor(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The presence of accompanying midwives (doulas) in the delivery room always entails many challenges. This study was carried out to determine the challenges of attendance with training from the point of view of midwives and expectant mothers in selected hospitals of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. Methods: The present study was a descriptive study on 70 midwives working in the delivery block, 120 pregnant mothers, and 20 trained attendants. The sampling of midwives and doulas was performed using the census method, and the sampling of pregnant mothers was conducted using the convenience method. The study tool included questionnaires made by the researcher about demographics and socioeconomics, therapeutics, and psychological challenges for the group of mothers and midwives. The face validity and content validity of the questionnaires were confirmed by midwifery professors and reproductive health specialists, and their reliability was confirmed by internal consistency. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS software (version 21). Results: In this study, 70 midwives working in selected hospitals of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, 120 pregnant mothers, and 20 trained attendants were examined. Most of the pregnant women (n = 39, 32.5%) mentioned that the most important motivation for requesting a doula during pregnancy and labor was to overcome the fear of childbirth. Most of them (n = 101, 84.9%) also stated that they used doula services at the right time. Meanwhile, 54 women (45%) were familiar with doula services during pregnancy, and most of them (n = 67, 56.3%) stated that doula services can be useful and effective in all three stages of pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Conclusions: There are dissatisfactions and challenges regarding the support of doulas during pregnancy and childbirth. Therefore, it is recommended to provide the necessary training to healthcare providers, especially obstetricians, midwives, and mothers, regarding the importance and place of doula's supportive care in this era. Additionally, doula activities should be integrated and promoted in the care of the health team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The National Health Service (NHS) England website provides guidance on foods/drinks to avoid or limit during pregnancy because of microbiological, toxicological or teratogenic hazards. The aims were to determine adherence and whether demographic characteristics were associated with adherence. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Online survey of postpartum women resident in England during pregnancy. Participants: Recently, postpartum women resident in England during their pregnancy (n 598; median age 33 (IQR 30–36) years) completed an online questionnaire (April–November 2022). Questions included those on consumption of twenty-one food/drink items that the NHS advises pregnant women to avoid/limit. The study is part of the Pregnancy, the Environment And nutRition (PEAR) Study. Summary statistics were used to determine proportions adhering to the guidance. Adjusted logistic regression was used to model the associations of adherence with demographic characteristics. Results: Adherence was generally high (>90 % for eight of ten food/drink items to be avoided). However, among pre-pregnancy consumers, several items were not completely avoided, for example, 81 % (128/158) for game meat/gamebirds, 37 % (176/478) for cured meats and 17 % (81/467) for soft cheeses. Greater educational attainment (e.g. caffeinated soft drinks OR 2·25 (95 % CI 1·28, 3·94)), greater maternal age (e.g. oily fish 1·64 (1·05, 2·56)) and lower parity (e.g. caffeinated coffee 0.28 (0.11, 0.69)) were the most usual characteristics associated with adherence. Conclusion: Evidence of concerning levels of non-adherence for some food/drink items suggests a case for more education on some of the guidance, particularly for women with lower educational attainment, greater parity and greater maternal age. Further research on barriers to the implementation of the guidance is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There may be differential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and burnout rates of healthcare professionals (HCPs) performing different roles. Aims To examine mental health and burnout rates, and possible drivers for any disparities between professional roles. Methods In this cohort study, online surveys were distributed to HCPs in July–September 2020 (baseline) and re-sent 4 months later (follow-up; December 2020) assessing for probable major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), insomnia, mental well-being and burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization). Separate logistic regression models (at both phases) compared the risk of outcomes between roles: healthcare assistants (HCAs), nurses and midwives (nurses), allied health professionals (AHPs) and doctors (reference group). Separate linear regression models were also developed relating the change in scores to professional role. Results At baseline (n = 1537), nurses had a 1.9-fold and 2.5-fold increased risk of MDD and insomnia, respectively. AHPs had a 1.7-fold and 1.4-fold increased risk of MDD and emotional exhaustion, respectively. At follow-up (n = 736), the disproportionate risk between doctors and others worsened: nurses and HCAs were at 3.7-fold and 3.6-fold increased risk of insomnia, respectively. Nurses also had a significantly increased risk of MDD, GAD, poor mental well-being and burnout. Nurses also had significantly worsened anxiety, mental well-being and burnout scores over time, relative to doctors. Conclusions Nurses and AHPs had excess risk of adverse mental health and burnout during the pandemic, and this difference worsened over time (in nurses especially). Our findings support adoption of targeted strategies accounting for different HCP roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early detection of obstetric risk is the main competence of midwives to anticipate the mother's inability to adapt during pregnancy. The early detection competence of midwives determines the success of obstetric risk management, preventing pain and even death of mothers and babies. This study aimed to analyze the effect of obstetric risk early detection training on improving the competence of midwives in basic health care facilities. The study employed a quasi-experimental pre-posttest design with a control group. The samples were selected based on inclusion criteria, encompassing independent practice midwives and public health center midwives. The study comprised 27 midwives in the treatment group and 27 in the control group. The determination of and control groups was conducted through simple random sampling. Data analysis involved the use of Mann-Whitney and T-tests. The results indicated a significant difference in the increase in midwife competence within the treatment group post-training (p<0.001), with a notable improvement of 34.5%, compared to a 14.53% rise in midwife competence within the control group after reading the training module. Although a slight decrease in competence was observed after 2-4 weeks of training, the posttest values remained considerably higher than the pretest values. These findings underscore the impact of training on midwife competence, emphasizing the continual need for midwives to enhance their skills to elevate the health outcomes for the mothers and children under their care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The period of pregnancy is optimal for vaccination to prevent some diseases in women and newborns. Healthcare workers have a crucial role in informing women and recommending vaccinations. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, both theoretical and practical, and attitudes of Polish midwifes and nurses towards vaccination in pregnancy. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in 2019 among 263 medical practitioners (152 nurses and 111 midwives) who answered the authors' questionnaire. Results: A positive approach to maternal vaccination was more often expressed by the surveyed nurses than the midwives (p = 0.002). The mean score for assessing all participants' knowledge based on 12 questions was 5.92. The level of knowledge of participants with a positive attitude towards vaccination in pregnancy was statistically different from the groups with a neutral or negative attitude in the whole study group (p < 0.001). A positive correlation between knowledge and attitude was found in all participants (r = 0.360, p < 0.001). Logistical regression models also indicate the presence of a statistically significant relationship between the level of knowledge and the group, profession, attitude and own assessment of knowledge. Conclusion: Positive attitudes to vaccination were reported mainly among those surveyed on a scientific congress on vaccinations in Poland. Therefore, participation in different forms of education may have a supportive impact on the views of midwives and nurses, and consequently on their willingness to recommend vaccination to pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antenatal care allows healthcare providers to assess the wellbeing of pregnant women and their fetuses, leading to positive maternal and fetal outcomes. This study assessed the available facilities for antenatal care provided by midwives, and factors that influenced the quality of care provided. Methods: This study used a mixed-method descriptive design based on the Donabedian model to explore the quality of care at 27 health facilities across the three levels of healthcare in Osun State. Qualitative data were collected from 11 purposively selected midwives using an in-depth interview guide, and a hospital checklist was used to collect quantitative data. Data were gathered over 12 weeks, then transcribed and analysed using content and thematic analysis. Results: Some facilities (9.1%) did not offer all components of antenatal care. When examining the process and structure of care, 98.6% of healthcare facilities were found to have inadequate human resources. Although the equipment at the facilities was functional, it was reportedly inadequate in 27 (84.3%) facilities. Midwives reported that a lack of education, poor working conditions, interprofessional barriers and burnout hindered the provision of quality antenatal care, while community support and regular continuing education were motivating factors. Conclusions: The quality of antenatal care was rated adequate, but there was a lack of resources, standard guidelines and retraining opportunities for midwives. Adequate manpower and resources are needed to enhance the quality of antenatal care in health facilities in Osun State. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Estudos Feministas is the property of Revista Estudos Feministas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research & Practice is the property of Canadian Association of Midwives and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Midwifery Research & Practice is the property of Canadian Association of Midwives and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal / İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Izmir Katip Celebi University, Faculty of Health Sciene Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Fenerbahce University Journal of Health Sciences (FBU-JOSH) / Fenerbahçe Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Fenerbahce University Journal of Health Sciences (FBU-JOSH) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Mersin University School of Medicine Lokman Hekim Journal of History of Medicine & Folk Medicine is the property of Mersin University School of Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Aim Different clinical practice guidelines include recommendations on how to prevent and repair obstetric perineal trauma, as well as the use of episiotomy. To evaluate the variability in midwives' professional practices for preventing and repairing perineal trauma, as well as the professional factors that may be associated with the restrictive use of episiotomy. Design Observational cross‐sectional study. Methods Three hundred five midwives completed an anonymous questionnaire developed by the authors and distributed across various midwifery scientific societies. The main outcomes measured were the frequencies of adopting specific practices related to perineal injury prevention and repair, episiotomy technique and restrictive episiotomy use (

Abstract Aim The purpose of this study was to analyse perinatal care managers' perspectives on the role of doulas in Poland and to consider how managers' perspectives might affect the opportunities for doulas to practice in individual hospitals. Design This is a qualitative descriptive study. Method The total of 17 hospitals was selected for the study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 11 manager staff members. Results Three groups of facilities were identified: ‘0’ (n = 6) – refused to give interviews, ‘A’ (n = 8) – marginal experience in working with doulas, and ‘B’ (n = 3) – regular experience in working with doulas. The hospitals from Group A showed indifference towards working with doulas. Group B declared a positive attitude towards such cooperation. Attitudes towards doulas vary among executives and are related to the frequency of doula‐assisted births. Our results indicate factors that may influence the attitude of medical staff towards doulas and which may contribute to improve future initiatives meant to facilitate collaboration between midwives and doulas. Patient or Public Contribution This study explored the lived experiences of perinatal care managers.

Background: Obstetric complications are illnesses that develop during childbirth. Smartphones,which facilitate the use of prompt features in the early diagnosis of challenges and quick delivery ofrespectful maternity care, are one of the most recent advances in health technology. The key objectiveof this project is to evaluate the usability and quality of the “E-Midwife” mobile application for nursemidwives,which focuses on obstetric complications.Methods: This study is a component of a randomized controlled trial on nurse-midwives. This projectfollowed a four-step approach: content development phase, app design phase, app development phase,and usability testing phase. The app was developed using extensive flowcharts, a definition of thenavigational framework, a structured database, and user-friendly software. 140 out of the 196 nursemidwiveswere allocated to the intervention (n=70) and control group (n=70), using random allocation.The intervention group used the application for 8 weeks. Usability and quality of the application wereassessed using the system usability scale and the mobile application rating scale, respectively. SPSSstatistical software, version 17, was used to analyze the dataResults: The overall score of the usability testing of E-Midwife was 82.75±0.68 The total mean scoreof quality was 3.77±0.86. Therefore, it was shown to have good usability and quality.Conclusion: The E-midwife mobile application has a high usability and quality which makes its usageeffective and efficient. It is recommended that these similar mobile apps should be used along withother educational methods for educating the nurse-midwives.Trial Registration Number: CTRI/2022/03/040857.

Abstract Background Possessing sensitive and multiple responsibilities in the country's health system, particularly after the implementation of the health reform in Iran, midwives must be able to optimally perform their duties in their new job as healthcare providers. This study aimed to identify the factors that predict job adjustment for Iranian midwives working in healthcare. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 310 midwives were recruited from 209 health centers in the Iranian province of West Azerbaijan using the census method and asked to complete research questionnaires. Data were collected using job adjustment, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment scales. SPSS version 25 was used to perform ANOVA and calculate multiple linear regression coefficients for data analysis. In addition, the AMOS software was employed for path analysis and the identification of predictive variables. Results The mean age of the participants was 37.67 ± 7.1 years. Most participants (35.5%) were interested in their occupation as a midwife, and 27.1% were very interest. They had a moderate to strong tendency (76.1%) to remain in their new profession. In addition, 58.1% of participants experienced moderate job adjustment. For healthcare midwives, "desire to remain in the midwifery profession" and "organizational commitment" were significant predictors of job adjustment. "Desire to remain in the midwifery profession" directly affected midwives' job adjustment, while "interest in the new profession" had an indirect effect. Furthermore, "adequacy of income to expenses," "job satisfaction," and "organizational commitment" through the mediating role of "desire to remain in the profession" can, directly and indirectly, influence their job adjustment. Conclusion To better prepare midwives for their role as healthcare providers, organizational managers should focus their efforts and plan primarily on providing incentives to increase the longevity of staying in the profession of midwifery increase job adjustment, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment, thereby improving the quality-of-service delivery.

Background: Empathy has been known as one of the fundamental principles of medical professions. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the perspectives of midwives' trainers, students, and personnel about empathy in maternity hospitals. Methods: A qualitative design using a content analysis approach was used to explore the experiences of midwives' trainers, students, and personnel in the maternity setting in Gachsaran, Iran. The study involved the recruitment of 41 participants, including 24 students, 14 personnel, and 3 midwifery trainers, who were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through 2 rounds of semi-structured interviews conducted via WhatsApp, with participants responding to 2 sets of questions. The text was analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis, and the extracted codes were managed using MAXQDA software. Results: In general, 265 codes were extracted from the participants' interviews, which were classified into 3 categories (ie, "Client management is a top priority for every midwife, "the meaning of empathy," and "essentials in empathy") and 9 subcategories. A total of 121 codes explained how to manage clients, 64 codes were related to the meaning of empathy, and 77 codes were linked to what people must consider in empathy. Conclusions: Empathy is a crucial concept in the field of midwifery and should be included in the curriculum. It is essential to emphasize the correlation between empathy and other aspects of midwifery, such as communication skills, clinical competence, and ethics. We recommend that both staff and students undergo ongoing training in the area of professional conduct to enable them to make informed decisions in challenging situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study assessed adolescents' satisfaction with services received during their most recent abortion and the factors associated with satisfaction at reproductive health centres in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Design: A facility‐based cross‐sectional survey was used for this study. Methods: Overall, 254 adolescent girls aged between 15 and 19 years, who had an abortion within 1 week of the study period were recruited for the study. All the 254 respondents were recruited consecutively as they visited health facilities for abortion services from March 2019 to February 2020. Written informed consent was signed by respondents, and data were collected using the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire, and the data were analysed using Stata version 15.0. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: A majority of adolescents reported being satisfied with the abortion services they received. Ample waiting space and the system of 'first‐come‐first‐served' were the highest rated elements of service satisfaction. Adolescents were least satisfied with the inadequacy of instructions and lack of information on medications received and their therapeutic or side effects. Ethnicity, having a stable intimate partner and perceived adequacy of staff were the factors associated with satisfaction with abortion services. Conclusion: Adolescents are unique group of people with peculiar health needs. If they are treated with respect and dignity, they are likely to be satisfied with services received from the reproductive health centres offering comprehensive abortion care. Impact: The study addresses adolescent satisfaction with abortion care received; if health providers treat adolescent seeking abortion care with respect, friendly and non‐judgemental attitude, it will enable adolescents to seek abortion care from qualified professionals instead of unskilled service providers to reduce maternal mortality. Patient's contribution: Patients from 11 reproductive centres responded to the questionnaire used for the data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine impact of undertaking an international educational program during a nurse's or midwife's pre-registration program on subsequent practice, focusing on how nurses and midwives were transformed personally through participation in such programs. Background: Participation in international educational programs has been reported to enhance nursing and midwifery students' personal and professional development, however long-term impacts remain unclear. This paper presents findings drawn from a larger grounded theory study. Study design and Methods: Charmaz's grounded theory methodology was used to elicit experiences from 13 general nurses, two mental health nurses, three midwives and four dual qualified nurse/midwives across eight different countries. Data analysis led to the creation of three categories, with this paper reporting on the category of Developing as a Person. Findings: Participation in international educational programs can be transformative for nurses and midwives with long-lasting impacts, contributing positively to their personal growth and development. Discussion: The study findings underscore significant long-term impacts of international educational programs for nurses and midwives. These outcomes highlight the importance of incorporating international experiences into healthcare education. Conclusion: By providing opportunities for healthcare professionals to engage with diverse settings and populations, organisations and educational institutions can foster the development of well-rounded and globally competent practitioners. Implications for research, policy, and practice: The study's findings hold significant implications for research, policy, and practice in healthcare education. To deepen our understandings, additional longitudinal research across diverse countries is warranted. Policymakers have an opportunity to acknowledge the positive impact of these programs on the personal growth and development of nurses and midwives, potentially leading to the integration of global competency requirements into licensure programs. In order to provide comprehensive education, educational institutions should consider the inclusion of study abroad opportunities, cultural exchanges, and global clinical placements within nursing and midwifery curricula. What is already known about the topic? • International educational programs are widely used as a way of developing nursing and midwifery students' cultural understandings. • Previous studies have reported on short-term impacts of international educational programs. What this paper adds: • Long-term impacts of participation in an international educational program on nurses and midwives are described. • Personal development and subsequent transformations occur for nurses and midwives as a result of participation in international educational programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Interest in expanding access to the birth center model is growing. The purpose of this research is to describe birth center staffing models and business characteristics and explore relationships to perinatal outcomes. Methods: This descriptive analysis includes a convenience sample of all 84 birth center sites that participated in the AABC Site Survey and AABC Perinatal Data Registry between 2012 and 2020. Selected independent variables include staffing model (CNM/CM or CPM/LM), legal entity status, birth volume/year, and hours of midwifery call/week. Perinatal outcomes include rates of induction of labor, cesarean birth, exclusive breastfeeding, birthweight in pounds, low APGAR scores, and neonatal intensive care admission. Results: The birth center model of care is demonstrated to be safe and effective, across a variety of staffing and business models. Outcomes for both CNM/CM and CPM/LM models of care exceed national benchmarks for perinatal quality with low induction, cesarean, NICU admission, and high rates of breastfeeding. Within the sample of medically low‐risk multiparas, variations in clinical outcomes were correlated with business characteristics of the birth center, specifically annual birth volume. Increased induction of labor and cesarean birth, with decreased success breastfeeding, were present within practices characterized as high volume (>200 births/year). The research demonstrates decreased access to the birth center model of care for Black and Hispanic populations. Conclusions for Practice: Between 2012 and 2020, 84 birth centers across the United States engaged in 90,580 episodes of perinatal care. Continued policy development is necessary to provide risk‐appropriate care for populations of healthy, medically low‐risk consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Balikesir Health Sciences Journal / Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Balikesir Health Sciences Journal (BAUN Health Sci J) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

INTRODUCTION Normal birth has significant benefits for mothers and infants. However, the advancement of technology has led to increased medicalization of childbirth. Midwives play a pivotal role in promoting normal birth, and positive outcomes are seen in births led by a midwife. The purpose of the study is to gain a deeper understanding of midwives' experiences of facilitating normal birth in midwifery-led units. METHODS The study has a qualitative design. It was conducted in 2022 and included semi-structured interviews with seven midwives throughout Norway. They were all currently working, or had previously worked, in a midwifery-led unit. The data material was analyzed using systematic text condensation. RESULTS The data analysis resulted in three result categories. The first category concerned the importance of relationships, continuity and a safe atmosphere. The second concerned being a midwife in the hand, in the heart, and in the mind. The third related to having confidence in the physiological process of childbirth, midwifery autonomy, and a common ideology. CONCLUSIONS The study highlights several elements that may help to promote normal birth in midwifery units. Relationships, midwifery skills, confidence in normal birth and a supportive collegial environment that fosters midwife autonomy, are prominent factors. These elements were viewed by the midwives as key to their ability to promote normal birth in a midwifery-led unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Literature & Humanities / Edebiyat ve Beşeri Bilimler Dergisi is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Matronas Hoy is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Matronas (AEM) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Matronas Hoy is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Matronas (AEM) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)