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Arbete med förlossningsrädsla

Gligorijevic, Maja LU (2025) SAHS05 20251
School of Social Work
Abstract
This study explored how midwives and healthcare counselors in Sweden support women experiencing fear of childbirth, with a focus on how they balance patients' preferences with medical guidelines and their influence in determining the mode of delivery. The method chosen was qualitative, semi-structured interviews with midwives and healthcare counselors from specialized maternity support teams within Scania County. Thematic analysis was applied to examine how these professionals interpret their roles, interact with patients, and navigate institutional goals and constraints. The findings reveal that while both professions prioritize individualized support and patient well-being, midwives often promote vaginal birth as the preferred option,... (More)
This study explored how midwives and healthcare counselors in Sweden support women experiencing fear of childbirth, with a focus on how they balance patients' preferences with medical guidelines and their influence in determining the mode of delivery. The method chosen was qualitative, semi-structured interviews with midwives and healthcare counselors from specialized maternity support teams within Scania County. Thematic analysis was applied to examine how these professionals interpret their roles, interact with patients, and navigate institutional goals and constraints. The findings reveal that while both professions prioritize individualized support and patient well-being, midwives often promote vaginal birth as the preferred option, where as healthcare counselors emphasize psychological safety and a positive birth experience. A key theme was the professionals’ strategic use of discretion to influence care decisions, often compensating for unclear guidelines and organizational limitations. Their impact is seen not in final decisions, which remain the physician´s responsibility, but in shaping the narrative that informs those decisions. The study highlights trade-offs between institutional goals to reduce cesarean rates and the need for personalized care that respects women's fears and psychological histories. It concludes that clearer guidelines, improved collaboration, and recognition of psychosocial factors are essential to ensure effective support for women with childbirth fear. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Gligorijevic, Maja LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
En kvalitativ studie om hur barnmorskor och kuratorer arbetar med kvinnor som lider av förlossningsrädsla
course
SAHS05 20251
year
type
M3 - Professional qualifications ( - 4 Years)
subject
keywords
fear of childbirth, tokophobia, midwives, healthcare counselors, specialized maternal care
language
Swedish
id
9194936
date added to LUP
2025-06-09 16:09:31
date last changed
2025-06-09 16:09:31
@misc{9194936,
  abstract     = {{This study explored how midwives and healthcare counselors in Sweden support women experiencing fear of childbirth, with a focus on how they balance patients' preferences with medical guidelines and their influence in determining the mode of delivery. The method chosen was qualitative, semi-structured interviews with midwives and healthcare counselors from specialized maternity support teams within Scania County. Thematic analysis was applied to examine how these professionals interpret their roles, interact with patients, and navigate institutional goals and constraints. The findings reveal that while both professions prioritize individualized support and patient well-being, midwives often promote vaginal birth as the preferred option, where as healthcare counselors emphasize psychological safety and a positive birth experience. A key theme was the professionals’ strategic use of discretion to influence care decisions, often compensating for unclear guidelines and organizational limitations. Their impact is seen not in final decisions, which remain the physician´s responsibility, but in shaping the narrative that informs those decisions. The study highlights trade-offs between institutional goals to reduce cesarean rates and the need for personalized care that respects women's fears and psychological histories. It concludes that clearer guidelines, improved collaboration, and recognition of psychosocial factors are essential to ensure effective support for women with childbirth fear.}},
  author       = {{Gligorijevic, Maja}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Arbete med förlossningsrädsla}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}