A meta-synthesis of the perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals on the humanisation of childbirth using a meta-ethnographic approach

Curtin, Mary Ellen; Savage, Eileen; Murphy, Margaret; Leahy‐Warren, Patricia

doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2021.07.002

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 31 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The HCP’s ability to cope with intrapartum uncertainty may impact the woman’s ability to access her preferred approach. This supports previous literature that HCPs may control the boundaries of choices available to women [ 6 ]. Controlling access and/or refusing to provide care to women is not humanised practise as it limits the control that women have over their own care plans.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…The HCP’s understanding is particularly important if HCPs are to a) advocate for the woman and b) enact a humanised practice. A recent meta-synthesis on the perspectives of HCPs and the humanisation of childbirth suggested ‘invisible boundaries’ may be placed around the women’s choices by HCPs, noted through the use of disempowering language such as to ‘allow’ and ‘let’ [ 6 ]. Kuipers [2018] suggests that boundaries are often set by the midwife and the potential for conflict between the woman and the midwife depends on the woman’s and the midwife’s levels of assertiveness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In broad terms, a woman is deemed to have a pregnancy or birth classified as 'high risk' if a maternal or fetal factor, that may adversely affect the pregnancy outcome, is present [13,14]. Evidence suggests women who have been classified as high risk have difficulty in attaining humanisation [6,8,15]. Women whose pregnancies are classified as high risk are more likely to experience anxiety, negative recall of their experience, and fewer positive experiences [13,[16][17][18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Midwives’, obstetricians’, and nurses’ perspectives of humanised care during pregnancy and childbirth for women classified as high risk in high income countries: A mixed methods systematic review

Curtin,

Murphy,

Savage

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Women classified as ‘high risk’ or ‘complicated’ in pregnancy and childbirth have increased difficulty in accessing humanised care/humanisation in childbirth due to perceptions that this approach rejects the use of intervention and/or technology. Humanised care recognises the psychological and physical needs of women in pregnancy and birth. A mixed methods systematic review using a convergent segregated approach was undertaken using the Joanne Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. The objective of the review was to identify the presence of humanisation for women with high risk pregnancy and/or childbirth in high income countries. Studies were included if they measured humanisation and/or explored the perspectives of midwives, obstetricians, or nurses on humanisation for women classified as having a high-risk or complicated pregnancy or childbirth in a high income country. Qualitative data were analysed using a meta-aggregative approach and a narrative synthesis was completed for the quantitative data. All studies were assessed for their methodological quality using the MMAT tool. Four databases were searched, and nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 1617 participants from nine countries were included. Three qualitative findings were synthesised, and a narrative synthesis of quantitative data was completed. The integration of qualitative and quantitative data identified complimentary findings on: (i) the importance of developing a harmonised relationship with women; (ii) increased time counselling women on their choices; and (iii) fear of professional reputational damage if caring outside of protocols. Negotiating with women outside of protocols may have a wider impact on the professional than first thought. Understanding how healthcare professionals individualise care for women at risk in labour requires further investigation.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Midwives’, obstetricians’, and nurses’ perspectives of humanised care during pregnancy and childbirth for women classified as high risk in high income countries: A mixed methods systematic review

Curtin,

Murphy,

Savage

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This finding can be explained by the slow and gradual shift in intrapartum clinical practice that has been reported in the literature with the introduction of new concepts such as the humanization of births. This concept means that healthcare professionals are expected to understand and embed humanized practice while embracing a woman-centered philosophy along with less but evidence-based interventions when supporting the physical, psychological, and emotional wellbeing of women in childbirth [4,14,15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Survey on the Type and Prevalence of Medical Interventions during Labor and Childbirth in Greek Pregnant Women

Papoutsis,

Chatzipanagiotidou

2023

Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background:The purpose of this study was to identify the type and prevalence of medical interventions during labor and birth in Greek pregnant women. Methods: We constructed a 49-item web-based questionnaire to capture demographic data, obstetric data and the medical interventions performed during the most recent childbirth of participants. The questionnaire was posted on nationwide electronic media between November 2022 to January 2023. All women who had given birth at least once were eligible for the study, and results were stratified by the timing of their last birth. Results: There was a total of 954 women participating in the survey, with 809 women giving birth within the last 10 years and 145 women giving birth between 10 to 20 years ago. In those that gave birth within the past 10 years, the majority had a low-risk pregnancy (78.8%) and the overall cesarean section rate was 42.8%. During labor, women were allowed to change positions and to mobilize in about half of cases, whereas the lithotomy position at birth was reported by 81.4%. Almost 2 in 3 women reported a vaginal examination every hour or even more frequently, with approximately 30% sustaining more than 5 examinations intrapartum. Oxytocin use was reported in 36.9%, epidural use in 69.6%, and episiotomy in 47.3% of women. Women who had their last birth 10-20 years ago when compared to those who gave birth within the last 10 years seem to have experienced higher rates of medical interventions during labor and birth. Conclusions: The survey results demonstrate the medicalization of childbirth in Greek pregnant women over the past 20 years. These findings may serve as a benchmark against which to compare and identify possible changes in future birthing practices and to determine which measures to promote normality at birth should be implemented.

show abstract

“…For obstetric nursing, this way of caring for consists of non-invasive nursing care technologies (NINCT), defined as knowledge, techniques and procedures that provide women with respectful, safe and evidence-based care experiences [8][9] . Therefore, NINCT encompass actions, which may or may not use instruments, mediated by interpersonal skills and humanistic values, with a view to building a relationship of shared care that respects human rights, promotes well-being and generates women's satisfaction with the parturition process [10][11] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of High-Risk Parturient Women With the Use of Non-Invasive Care Technologies

Pereira,

Ares,

Prata

et al. 2024

Texto contexto - enferm.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: to analyze high-risk parturient women’s experiences with the use of non-invasive nursing care technologies during labor. Method: this is qualitative and descriptive research, with twenty high-risk postpartum women admitted to a tertiary maternity hospital in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data were collected from April to July 2019 through semi-structured interviews, subjected to thematic content analysis and analyzed in light of Kristen Swanson’s Theory of Caring. Results: the experiments revealed that theory processes were associated with the use of non-invasive care technologies by nurses. “Maintaining belief”, “knowing” and “being with” were made up of the following technologies: encouraging self-confidence; understanding the lived experience; bond formation; and creating a supportive and helpful relationship with parturient women. The “doing for” and “enabling” processes included other technologies that promoted comfort and facilitated the experience such as: encouraging active participation and conscious breathing; stimulation of vertical positions and pelvic movements; companion involvement in care; using resources, such as warm water, Swiss balls and essential oils; and applying massages. Conclusion: parturient women realize that the use of non-invasive care technologies by nurses shapes experiences of well-being during labor, expressed in feelings of safety, acceptance, respect, appreciation, support and comfort. The importance of investing in nurses’ work in assisting high-risk pregnancies is highlighted, as these technologies provide respectful care and women’s satisfaction with childbirth.

show abstract

A meta-synthesis of the perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals on the humanisation of childbirth using a meta-ethnographic approach

Cited by 9 publications

References 31 publications

Midwives’, obstetricians’, and nurses’ perspectives of humanised care during pregnancy and childbirth for women classified as high risk in high income countries: A mixed methods systematic review

Midwives’, obstetricians’, and nurses’ perspectives of humanised care during pregnancy and childbirth for women classified as high risk in high income countries: A mixed methods systematic review

A Survey on the Type and Prevalence of Medical Interventions during Labor and Childbirth in Greek Pregnant Women

Experiences of High-Risk Parturient Women With the Use of Non-Invasive Care Technologies

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About