The impact of Childbirth experiences on women's sense of self: A review of the literature

Parratt, Jennifer A

doi:10.1016/s1031-170x(02)80007-1

Cited by 43 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The most recent figures from 2008 show just 36.9% of women in Australia gave birth according to a definition of 'normal' which excludes induction, augmentation, instrumental birth, spinal, general or epidural anaesthesia (Laws, Li & Sullivan 2010). Increasing intervention brings additional risks to mother and baby from a rising caesarean section rate (Gilliam, Rosenberg & Davis 2002;Souza et al 2010) and its well-documented psychosocial sequelae (Parratt 2002;Beech & Phipps 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being safe practitioners and safe mothers: A critical ethnography of continuity of care midwifery in Australia

Dove

Muir‐Cochrane

2014

Midwifery

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ObjectiveTo examine how midwives and women within a continuity of care midwifery program in Australia conceptualised childbirth risk and the influences of these conceptualisations on women's choices and midwives' practice. Design and settingA critical ethnography within a community-based continuity of midwifery care program, including semi-structured interviews and the observation of sequential antenatal appointments. ParticipantsEight (8) midwives, an obstetrician and seventeen (17) women. FindingsThe midwives assumed a risk-negotiator role in order to mediate relationships between women and hospital-based maternity staff. The role of risk-negotiator relied profoundly on the trust engendered in their relationships with women. Trust within the mother-midwife relationship furthermore acted as a catalyst for complex processes of identity work which, in turn, allowed midwives to manipulate existing obstetric risk hierarchies and effectively re-order risk conceptualisations. In establishing and maintaining identities of 'safe practitioner' and 'safe mother', greater scope for the negotiation of normal within a context of obstetric risk was achieved. 2 Key Conclusions and Implications for practiceThe effects of obstetric risk practices can be mitigated when trust within the mother-midwife relationship acts as a catalyst for identity work and supports the midwife's role as a risknegotiator. The achievement of mutual identity-work through the midwives' role as risknegotiator can contribute to improved outcomes for women receiving continuity of care.However, midwives needed to perform the role of risk-negotiator while simultaneously negotiating their professional credibility in a setting that construed their practice as risky.3

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being safe practitioners and safe mothers: A critical ethnography of continuity of care midwifery in Australia

Dove

Muir‐Cochrane

2014

Midwifery

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“…These features are congruent with the external features of childbirth that positively affect sense of self found in this research (table 2). The literature review adds support for the current findings that link characteristics of the midwifery partnership as enabling the labouring woman to achieve an altered conscious state and thus empower her to respond instinctually in a fully embodied way (Parratt 2002). Furthermore, the literature provides support for the notion that a level of personal growth is possible and desirable as a result of a woman's experience of childbirth (Fisher, et al 1997, Parratt 2002.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

“…The literature review adds support for the current findings that link characteristics of the midwifery partnership as enabling the labouring woman to achieve an altered conscious state and thus empower her to respond instinctually in a fully embodied way (Parratt 2002). Furthermore, the literature provides support for the notion that a level of personal growth is possible and desirable as a result of a woman's experience of childbirth (Fisher, et al 1997, Parratt 2002. The literature review also suggests a possible relationship between how the woman experiences her labour and her subsequent connection with her baby, emphasising the need for further research in this area (Parratt 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

“…The review of the literature provided in a previous paper (Parratt 2002) illustrates the impact that a woman's childbirth experience can have on her sense of self. This review identified positive factors including control over her environment, receiving positive affirmations, effective communication with care-givers and experiencing mutually trusting relationships.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The research literature relating the affect of a woman's birth experience on her sense of self is sparse, however for a discussion of the relevant literature the reader is directed to the review paper (Parratt 2002). Psychological studies undertaken throughout pregnancy and after the birth do illustrate the possibility that women can have feelings of well-being at this time (Astbury 1980, Elliot 1983, Littlefield and Adams 1987.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Trusting enough to be out of control: a pilot study of women's sense of self during childbirth

Parratt

Fahy

2003

Australian Midwifery

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Birth Territory: A Theory for Midwifery Practice

Fahy¹,

Parratt²,

Foureur³

et al. 2011

Theory for Midwifery Practice

Self Cite

119

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The theory of Birth Territory describes explains and predicts the relationships between the environment of the individual birth room, issues of power and control, and the way the woman experiences labour physiologically and emotionally.The theory was synthesised inductively from empirical data generated by the authors in their roles as midwives and researchers. It takes a critical post-structural feminist perspective and expands on some of the ideas of Michel Foucault. Theory synthesis was also informed by current research about the embodied self and the authors' scholarship in the fields of midwifery, human biology, sociology and psychology.In order to demonstrate the significance of the theory it is applied to two clinical stories that both occur in hospital but are otherwise different. This analysis supports the central proposition that when midwives use 'midwifery guardianship' to create and maintain the ideal Birth Territory then the woman is most likely to give birth naturally, be satisfied with the experience and adapt with ease in the post birth period. These benefits together with the reduction in medical interventions also benefit the baby. In addition, a positive Birth Territory is posited to have a broader impact on the woman's partner, family and society in general.

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The impact of Childbirth experiences on women's sense of self: A review of the literature

Cited by 43 publications

References 41 publications

Being safe practitioners and safe mothers: A critical ethnography of continuity of care midwifery in Australia

Being safe practitioners and safe mothers: A critical ethnography of continuity of care midwifery in Australia

Trusting enough to be out of control: a pilot study of women's sense of self during childbirth

Birth Territory: A Theory for Midwifery Practice

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