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Swedish midwives’ experiences of collegial midwifery assistance during the second stage of labour: A qualitative study

Tern, Helena LU orcid ; Edqvist, Malin LU orcid ; Ekelin, Maria LU ; Dahlen, Hannah G. and Rubertsson, Christine LU (2023) In Women and Birth 36(1). p.72-79
Abstract
Background
There has been an increased focus on clinical practice that may reduce severe perineal trauma due to awareness of the associated morbidity. Knowledge regarding the best practice to reduce these injuries is limited. Collegial midwifery assistance during the second stage of labour that involves an additional midwife being present has recently been implemented into many Swedish birth units with the aim of reducing severe perineal trauma. However, no studies have been conducted to evaluate midwives’ experiences and views of this practice.

Aim
The aim of this study was to explore midwives’ experiences of collegial midwifery assistance during the second stage of labour.

Methods
A qualitative study was... (More)
Background
There has been an increased focus on clinical practice that may reduce severe perineal trauma due to awareness of the associated morbidity. Knowledge regarding the best practice to reduce these injuries is limited. Collegial midwifery assistance during the second stage of labour that involves an additional midwife being present has recently been implemented into many Swedish birth units with the aim of reducing severe perineal trauma. However, no studies have been conducted to evaluate midwives’ experiences and views of this practice.

Aim
The aim of this study was to explore midwives’ experiences of collegial midwifery assistance during the second stage of labour.

Methods
A qualitative study was undertaken with five focus groups conducted with 37 midwives who were part of a multisite randomised controlled trial. The data was analysed with reflexive thematic analysis.

Findings
Four key themes were generated: (i) “challenging the professional role”; (ii) “a balancing act between different roles”; (iii) “not just why and how - but who”; (iv) “a potential arena for learning”.

Conclusion
This practice enabled valuable collegial support and learning. The midwives’ experiences were multifaceted and influenced by several factors, including norms and culture in the birth units as well as personal relationships and the midwives’ views on their role and childbirth. Staffing should be adapted in clinical practice to optimise the conditions for collegial support and learning while avoiding unintended consequences. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Women and Birth
volume
36
issue
1
pages
72 - 79
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85126537922
  • pmid:35307300
ISSN
1878-1799
DOI
10.1016/j.wombi.2022.03.003
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
181e8c6d-5748-41e4-9edf-ab2094ef167f
date added to LUP
2022-03-21 08:39:16
date last changed
2024-02-25 19:47:14
@article{181e8c6d-5748-41e4-9edf-ab2094ef167f,
  abstract     = {{Background<br/>There has been an increased focus on clinical practice that may reduce severe perineal trauma due to awareness of the associated morbidity. Knowledge regarding the best practice to reduce these injuries is limited. Collegial midwifery assistance during the second stage of labour that involves an additional midwife being present has recently been implemented into many Swedish birth units with the aim of reducing severe perineal trauma. However, no studies have been conducted to evaluate midwives’ experiences and views of this practice.<br/><br/>Aim<br/>The aim of this study was to explore midwives’ experiences of collegial midwifery assistance during the second stage of labour.<br/><br/>Methods<br/>A qualitative study was undertaken with five focus groups conducted with 37 midwives who were part of a multisite randomised controlled trial. The data was analysed with reflexive thematic analysis.<br/><br/>Findings<br/>Four key themes were generated: (i) “challenging the professional role”; (ii) “a balancing act between different roles”; (iii) “not just why and how - but who”; (iv) “a potential arena for learning”.<br/><br/>Conclusion<br/>This practice enabled valuable collegial support and learning. The midwives’ experiences were multifaceted and influenced by several factors, including norms and culture in the birth units as well as personal relationships and the midwives’ views on their role and childbirth. Staffing should be adapted in clinical practice to optimise the conditions for collegial support and learning while avoiding unintended consequences.}},
  author       = {{Tern, Helena and Edqvist, Malin and Ekelin, Maria and Dahlen, Hannah G. and Rubertsson, Christine}},
  issn         = {{1878-1799}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{72--79}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Women and Birth}},
  title        = {{Swedish midwives’ experiences of collegial midwifery assistance during the second stage of labour: A qualitative study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.03.003}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.wombi.2022.03.003}},
  volume       = {{36}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}