The influence and meaning of the birth environment for nulliparous women at a hospital-based labour ward in Sweden: An ethnographic study

Goldkuhl, Lisa; Dellenborg, Lisen; Berg, Marie; Wijk, Helle; Nilsson, Christína

doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2021.07.005

Cited by 32 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The importance of the birthing companion having a space has also been found in earlier research ( Nilsson et al, 2020 ). Another study in the R4B project also adds the importance of a familiar and comfortable birthing room design, as it symbolizes tenderness and care ( Goldkuhl et al., 2021 ). A familiar childbirth environment is found to be nonthreatening, promotes relaxation, and enhances women’s confidence ( Carlsson et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Women’s Experiences of Physical Features in a Specially Designed Birthing Room: A Mixed-Methods Study in Sweden

Skogström

Vithal

Wijk

et al. 2022

HERD

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Aim: To explore women’s experiences of physical features in a birthing room designed to be adaptable to personal wishes and needs during labor and birth. Background: Childbirth is a central life event influenced by numerous factors, including the healthcare environment; however, there is insufficient knowledge on how the physical design affects women during birth. Methods: This study was part of a randomized controlled trial in the Room4Birth research project, including women randomized to receive care in a new birthing room designed with physical features changeable according to personal wishes. Data consisted of responses to two questions analyzed with descriptive statistics ( n = 202) and semi-structured interviews analyzed for content ( n = 19). Results: A total of 93.6% ( n = 189) assessed the physical features in the birthing room as meaningful to a very high or high extent. The overall impression of the room was positive and exceeded women’s expectations. They felt welcomed and strengthened by the room, which shifted the focus to a more positive emotional state. The room differed from traditional hospital birthing rooms, contained familiar features that maintained integrity, and had space for companions. The variety of physical features was appreciated. Of nine listed physical features, the bathtub was ranked most important, followed by the projection of nature scenery, and dimmable lighting, but the room as a whole appeared most important. Conclusions: When planning and designing hospital-based birthing rooms, it is crucial to offer possibilities to adapt the room and physical features according to personal wishes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet, another R4B study identified that the birth environment consists of the physical birthing room, the human encounter within it, and the institutional context where women give birth. It seems like the midwives could have a strong impact on women’s activities and experiences of the birth environment ( Goldkuhl et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women’s Experiences of Physical Features in a Specially Designed Birthing Room: A Mixed-Methods Study in Sweden

Skogström

Vithal

Wijk

et al. 2022

HERD

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Qualitative research data suggest that the design of the labour room influences the work of midwives, as different designs create different atmospheres which affect midwives’ wellbeing [ 17 , 34 , 36 ]. While the influence of the architecture and design of the birthing room on women giving birth has already been qualitatively researched [ 71 – 73 ], no quantitative studies were identified which assessed the environment’s influence on maternity care staff.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring job satisfaction of midwives: A scoping review

Wangler

Streffing²,

Simon³

et al. 2022

PLoS ONE

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Background Given the global shortage of midwives, it is of utmost interest to improve midwives’ job satisfaction and working environments. Precise measurement tools are needed to identify both predictors of job satisfaction and intervention strategies which could increase it. The aim of this study is to collate, describe and analyse instruments used in research to assess the job satisfaction of midwives working in hospitals, to identify valid and reliable tools and to make recommendations for the further development of specific instruments for midwifery practice and future midwifery research. Methods We conducted systematic literature searches of the following databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Database. Studies which assessed the job satisfaction of midwives working in a hospital setting were eligible for inclusion. Findings Out of 637 records 36 empirical research articles were analysed, 27 of them cross-sectional studies. The studies had been conducted in 23 different countries, with sample sizes ranging between nine and 5.446 participants. Over 30 different instruments were used to measure midwives’ job satisfaction, with considerable differences in terms of domains evaluated and number of items. Twelve domains relevant for job satisfaction of midwives working in hospitals were identified from the empirical studies. Four instruments met the defined reliability and validity criteria. Conclusion Autonomy, the significance of the job, the challenges of balancing work and private life, and the high emotional and physical demands of midwifery are job characteristics which are underrepresented in instruments measuring job satisfaction. The influence of the physical working environment has also not yet been researched. There is a need to develop or adapt instruments to the working environment of midwives.

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“…This led to women being rushed through labour and birth with a focus on monitoring, managing, and controlling risks rather than on the normal process of labour and the birthing woman’s needs (Newnham et al, 2017 ). In their study, Goldkuhl et al ( 2021 ) describe that some women took on a passive disposition during labour and that the care provider’s role tended to be authoritative with a focus on guidelines and interventions, which caused the focus on the woman’s agency, needs, and experience of labour to be subordinated to those of the institution (Goldkuhl et al, 2021 ). The medicalization of childbirth refers to a more risk-oriented view of childbirth as a condition that can be evaluated through measurements and controlled through medical interventions, rather than a physiological process and social event.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women’s lived experiences of induction of labour in late- and post-term pregnancy within the Swedish post-term induction study – a phenomenological study

Nilvér

Lundgren

Elden

et al. 2022

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well

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Purpose There is a trend worldwide to induce pregnant women earlier. However, few studies have focused on women’s experiences. The aim was to gain a deeper understanding of women’s lived experiences of induction of labour in late- and post-term pregnancy. Methods Phenomenology with a reflective lifeworld approach was chosen as the method. Twelve women participating in a larger study in which women were randomized to either induction of labour in week 41 or to expectant management until week 42, were interviewed one to three months after giving birth. Results The essence is described as follows: labour becomes another journey than the intended one. The women adapted to this new journey by seeing the advantages and handing themselves over to the healthcare system, but at the same time something about giving birth could be lost. The result is further described by its four constituents: planning the unplannable, being a guest at the labour ward, someone else controlling the labour , and overshadowed by how it turned out . Conclusion Induced labour presents a challenge to maternity personnel to support the birthing woman’s normal progress, not to rush her through labour, and to involve her in the process.

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The influence and meaning of the birth environment for nulliparous women at a hospital-based labour ward in Sweden: An ethnographic study

Cited by 32 publications

References 27 publications

Women’s Experiences of Physical Features in a Specially Designed Birthing Room: A Mixed-Methods Study in Sweden

Women’s Experiences of Physical Features in a Specially Designed Birthing Room: A Mixed-Methods Study in Sweden

Measuring job satisfaction of midwives: A scoping review

Women’s lived experiences of induction of labour in late- and post-term pregnancy within the Swedish post-term induction study – a phenomenological study

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