A Qualitative Study on Midwivesʼ Perceptions of Physiologic Birth in Singapore

• Published in: The Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing Vol. 32; no. 4; pp. 315 - 323
• Main Authors: Wong, Cassandra Yuit Wah, Shorey, Shefaly, Liew, Kelly, He, Hong-Gu, Koh, Serena S L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Copyright Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved 01-10-2018; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subjects: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Childbirth & labor; Female; Humans; Midwifery; Natural Childbirth - methods; Natural Childbirth - psychology; Needs Assessment; Nurse Midwives - psychology; Nurse's Role; Nursing; Obstetrics; Perceptions; Physiology; Pregnancy; Prenatal Education - methods; Qualitative Research; Singapore; Social Perception; Singapore
• ISSN: 0893-2190; 1550-5073
• DOI: 10.1097/JPN.0000000000000321

Midwives are advocates for parturients, and their actions and attitudes can influence a womanʼs experience during childbirth. Hence, it is valuable to examine midwivesʼ perceptions of physiologic birth in an obstetric-led environment. A descriptive, qualitative study design was utilized. Semistructured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 10 registered midwives from the birthing suite of a public hospital in Singapore. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three major themes were (1) perceptions of physiologic birth, (2) perceived facilitators of physiologic birth, and (3) perceived barriers to physiologic birth. Interestingly, senior midwives in this study experienced more negative outcomes with physiologic birth, resulting in apprehension and reduced confidence levels. This study contributed to the understanding of midwivesʼ perceptions regarding facilitators and barriers to physiologic birth. Factors such as supporting birthing team and antepartum education could be useful in supporting physiologic birth. However, advanced age of some of the midwives was found in this study to be a barrier to physiologic birth.