A Study on the Perinatal Outcomes of Natural Childbirth Led by Midwives: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to suggest the importance of natural childbirth by investigating the results of midwife-led perinatal periods and whether they were positive experiences for both individual women and their families.Methods: This retrospective study aimed to confirm the perinatal outcomes of midwife-attended vaginal births. Among 1,127 women who gave midwife-led birth in Gyeonggi-do, Seoul between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2021, data were collected for 829 women. Records were excluded that were missing necessary data. Data on childbirth were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and the chi-square test.Results: Among the mothers who underwent natural childbirth, 549 (66.2%) were multiparous. In addition, all 829 patients (100%) breast-fed their infants. First-degree perineal lacerations occurred in 29.2% of patients, and second-degree lacerations occurred in 48%. Non–high-risk subjects made up 56.0% of the study sample. The average bleeding amount was 281.44±4.50, and the average 1-minute Apgar score for infants was 8.25±0.02.Conclusion: Compared to childbirth in a hospital, natural childbirth was associated with a lower risk of birth canal laceration, postpartum bleeding, and Cesarean section. In addition, the health statuses of the newborns were confirmed to be good . Based on the results of this study, there is a need for a strategy in which midwife-led natural childbirth is integrated into the local medical system, as well as a need to raise women's awareness of natural childbirth and positively influence the experience.

Preparation of the nursing workforce in the field of women’s health

“…Another study examined the perinatal health outcomes for mothers who chose midwife-led natural childbirth at birthing centers. It found that these outcomes were superior to those of mothers who delivered in hospitals [ 11 ]. Specifically, mothers at birthing centers experienced lower risks of perineal tears, postpartum hemorrhage, and cesarean sections, along with fewer complications related to newborn Apgar scores and meconium staining.…”

A Job analysis of Hospital Midwives: A DACUM Analysis

“…우리나라 도 산과의사 현실은 벼랑 끝이라고 한다 (Ko, 2023). 최근 소아 청소년과 의사회의 폐과선언까지 사실 일본보다 더 심각한 산 소아과 의료인력의 공백을 보여주고 있다 (Park, 2023).…”

“…이제 우리나라도 병원 내 조산원 제도를 도입해야 할 시정에 왔다고 생각한다. 저위험 임산부를 병원 내에 조산원을 두어 병 원과 유사한 안전한 의료환경을 구비하여 조산사와 함께 자연 출산을 하고 모유수유 성공까지 할 수 있는 임산부가 만족하는 자연출산을 격려한다면 다음 출산을 계획하게 되어 저출산에서 도 탈피할 수 있는 장점까지 있게 될 것이다 (An et al, 2023). 또 한 개원조산사와 병원조산사의 전문직업성과 직무만족도 비교 연구 (Kim, 2017) (Lee & Kim, 2003;Song & Park, 2020) https://doi.org/10.21896/jksmch.2023.27.2.119 125…”