The Experience of Perinatal Care at a Birthing Center: A Qualitative Pilot Study

Pewitt, Amber T.

doi:10.1624/105812408x329593

Cited by 12 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Two of the 8 qualitative studies included findings specifically about satisfaction, and all other qualitative studies had results loosely related to this concept . Women in birth center care were satisfied with the comprehensive, personalized care that they received and the overall environment of the center . Positive relationships with midwife caregivers were a theme in 4 qualitative studies .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Maternal Outcomes in Birth Centers: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Alliman¹,

Phillippi²

2016

J Midwife Womens Health

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Introduction:The birth center, a relatively recent innovation in maternity care, is an increasingly popular location of birth. The purpose of this integrative literature review is to assess the research on maternal outcomes from birth center care. Methods:Using methods by Whittemore and Knafl, we conducted an integrative review of studies of birth centers published in English since 1980. Twenty-three quantitative sources and 9 qualitative sources describing maternal outcomes of birth center care were reviewed and synthesized.Results: Outcomes for women receiving birth care were positive. Spontaneous vaginal birth rates and perineal integrity were higher for women beginning care in a birth center compared to women in hospital care. Rates of cesarean birth were also lower for women planning birth center care. Transfer rates are difficult to compare across studies, but antepartum transfer rates ranged from 13% to 27.2%. Intrapartum transfer rates ranged from 11.6% to 37.4%, and from 11.6% to 16.5% in studies published from 2011 to 2013. Nulliparous women had higher rates of transfer than multiparous women. Few severe maternal outcomes and no maternal deaths were reported in any studies. Women were satisfied with the comprehensive, personalized care that they received from birth centers.Discussion: Quantitative studies reviewed included more than 84,300 women. The heterogeneity of the studies and variations of practice limit generalization of findings. However, even with multisite studies enrolling a variety of birth centers and practice changes over time, the consistency of positive outcomes supports this model of care. Policy makers in the United States should consider supporting the birth center model as a means of improving maternal outcomes.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…and one each was from Canada, 35 Scotland, 55 and Germany. 56 Eight of the studies specified locations in rural settings 8,[33][34][35]48,50,52 ; 9 in urban settings 5,41,43,44,46,47,49,51,56 ; and 15 were not specified, or they included multiple sites.…”

Section: Facilitators Of Prenatal Carementioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal Outcomes in Birth Centers: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Alliman¹,

Phillippi²

2016

J Midwife Womens Health

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“…Although both physicians and midwives are trained medical professionals, midwives view pregnancy and birth as natural and normal processes, rather than as medical conditions, and focus on providing perinatal care from a woman-centered perspective (Parry, 2008;Spoel & James, 2006). Pewitt (2008), who reviewed numerous studies on the morbidity and mortality outcomes of midwives compared with obstetricians, noted that midwives have excellent maternal and infant outcomes that often surpass those of physician-assisted births. Birth satisfaction is often greater for women with midwifery care as well.…”

Section: Midwifery As Resistance To Medicalizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, support persons are embraced and welcomed to be involved in all aspects of labor and birth. • Midwives seek to empower women by supporting a woman's right to control all decisions related to her body, her pregnancy, and her birth (Parry, 2008;Pewitt, 2008).…”

Section: Downloaded By [Gebze Yuksek Teknoloji Enstitïsu ] At 23:29 2mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When studies where women's experiences with midwifery care are compared with women's experiences with medical perinatal care, it becomes clear that women working with midwives tend to have more positive birthing experiences (Janssen et al, 2009;Parry, 2008;Pewitt, 2008). Midwifery is empowering for birthing women because it allows and encourages women to have control over their own bodies and considers their sense of physical and emotional wellness (Brodsky, 2008;Parry, 2008;Spoel & James, 2006).…”

Section: Downloaded By [Gebze Yuksek Teknoloji Enstitïsu ] At 23:29 2mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Medicalization of Birth and Midwifery as Resistance

Shaw

2013

Health Care for Women International

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Through the medicalization of women's bodies, the credibility and traditional knowledge of midwives and healers was forcibly lost. Northern Aboriginal communities continue to be especially impacted by the medicalization of birth. In recent years, there has been a resurgence in midwifery that is framed by a feminist discourse of women's reproductive rights. Many researchers believe that women who choose midwifery are exercising a conscious choice of resistance to the medicalization of women's bodies. In this article, I offer a review of the literature on how the medicalization of birth is conceptualized in relation to women's birthing experiences in Canada.

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