Birth planning for midwives and mothers

Hollins-Martin, CJ 2009, 'Birth planning for midwives and mothers' , British Journal of Midwifery, 16 (19) , pp. 583-587.

PDF - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (81kB)

Abstract

If women are to be empowered to make choices for childbirth, it is important that midwives explore and discuss their wishes and feelings about the delivery options available. Providing practical and sensible information should facilitate women with constructing a more accurate picture from which realistic hopes, fears and expectations can be formulated about impending labour. To facilitate midwives with this process, a flexible framework for a birth plan has been proposed. This easy to complete template can be used to assist childbearing women with assimilating their ambitions and desires regarding labour. Birth planning is important, since studies that compare women’s expectations of childbirth with actual experience present contrasting accounts, with disappointment, guilt and failure compared with delight, pride and success. Since experiences differ it is recommended that midwives audit birth satisfaction against women’s birth plans. Results would inform auditors of whether there is satisfaction with a woman’s birth experience and the quality of care that she perceived she received. Women’s articulated wishes about birth would facilitate understanding of why satisfaction/ dissatisfaction occurs.

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Health and Wellbeing
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Applied Research in Health, Welfare and Policy
Journal or Publication Title:	British Journal of Midwifery
Publisher:	Mark Allen Healthcare
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	0969-4900
Depositing User:	CJ Hollins Martin
Date Deposited:	22 Dec 2011 16:38
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2022 13:51
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/19204

Actions (login required)

Edit record (repository staff only)