Quality of midwifery led care: assessing the effects of different models of continuity for women's satisfaction

Abstract

Background-Changing Childbirth (1993), a report on the future of maternity services in the United Kingdom, endorsed the development of a primarily community based midwifery led service for normal pregnancy, with priority given to the provision of "woman centred care". This has led to the development of local schemes emphasising continuity of midwifery care and increased choice and control for women. Aims-To

Continuity of carer and partnership

“…Four were surveys. 1,17,21,22 Two were part of large randomised controlled trials. 9,20 However, exploring the association between continuity of carer and women's satisfaction with care was not the primary focus of these two projects.…”

“…9,21 Morgan et al, 21 when surveying the effects of different models of continuity on women's satisfaction with care, found that continuity of carer was not a clear predictor of the reported level of satisfaction with care. Instead, 72% (n = 247) of the women who completed the questionnaire antenatally and 68% (n = 222) postnatally rated feeling in control, involvement in decision making, and being given advice about pregnancy and childbirth, as very important in comparison to continuity of carer.…”

Women's experiences of a Follow Through Journey Program with Bachelor of Midwifery students

“…[4][5][6][7][8] Midwife characteristics such as empathy, friendliness, tenderness, calmness and trust were identified as factors supportive of woman-centred care during pregnancy and labour. [9][10][11] An additional aspect of women's satisfaction with their birth experience was their relationship with the midwife, communication and involvement in decision making. 11 A study to explore women's experiences of the Follow Through Journey Program with an emphasis on the student-woman relationship and the benefits women gained from this relationship therefore, was warranted.…”

Midwifery Care: Reflections of Midwifery Clients

“…Most of the previous research on midwifery has focused on the following topics: d client care (Carolan & Hodnett, 2007;Fraser, 1999;Gilje, 1992;Green, Renfrew, & Curtis, 2000;Halldorsdottir & Karlsdottir, 1996;Kennedy, 1995Kennedy, , 2000Kennedy, Rousseau, & Low, 2003;Page, 2003;Proctor, 1998); d satisfaction (Goodman, Mackey, & Tavakoli, 2004;Hundley, Milne, Glazener, & Mollison, 1997;Knapp, 1996;Morgan, Fenwick, McKenzie, & Wolfe, 1998;Tinkler & Quinney, 1998;Waldenstrom, 1998); (Berg, Lundgren, Hermansson, & Wahlberg, 1996;Bowers, 2002;Coffman & Ray, 1999;Fleming, 1998;Hodnett, 2002;Hodnett, Gates, Hofmeyr, & Sakala, 2002;Hunter, 2002Hunter, , 2009Lavender, Walkinshaw, & Walton, 1999;Tarkka & Paunonen, 1996); and d outcomes (Gibbins & Thomson, 2001;Green, Coupland, & Kitzinger, 1990;Hardin & Buckner, 2004;Mackey, 1995;Proctor, 1998;Rooks, 1999).…”