Midwives supporting women’s birth choices

In the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, a new study has found that women’s birth choices are more likely to be supported by a midwife.

Many women believe that once they’ve had a caesarean, they are not able to give birth vaginally.

They may have been told that a previous caesarean adds ‘complications’ and makes labour ‘too risky,’ or that it’s ‘safer’ to have another caesarean.

But is it?

A Western Sydney University study has found that it is possible for women to have a successful Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) – and to feel safe, secure and supported in their birth choice – if they engage the services of a midwife.

PhD Candidate and Lecturer from the University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hazel Keedle, is lead researcher on the ‘Women’s experiences of planning a vaginal birth after caesarean in different models of maternity care in Australia’ study.

Four hundred and ninety women surveyed

During the past five years, 490 women who planned to have a VBAC in Australia were surveyed, and the results were recently published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.

Ms Keedle said the study revealed the rates of VBAC in Australia are significantly influenced by the model of care that the women receive.

‘In Australia, a majority of women receive standard antenatal care, provided by the public hospital system – in which they have standard, free appointments within the hospital setting, and see a range of health care professionals throughout their pregnancy,’ said Ms Keedle.

‘Other women are able to access a ‘continuity of care’ (CoC) model – where they see the same hospital midwife working in a midwifery group practice or a privately practicing midwife or obstetrician for their appointments, and elect to have this health care professional present at the birth of their child in either a public or private hospital, at a birthing centre, or at home.’

Women’s experiences under three common models of care

The study aimed to explore the differences in women’s experiences under these three common models of care in Australia: standard maternity care; CoC with a doctor; and CoC with a midwife.

The results indicate that women who accessed CoC with a midwife were:

• More likely to have a birth plan (82 per cent, compared with 66 per cent for CoC with a doctor, and 74 per cent with standard maternity care);

• More likely to feel their health care provider was confident in their ability to have a VBAC (89 per cent, compared with 71 per cent for CoC with a doctor, and 54 per cent with standard maternity care);

• Less likely to use pain relief (35 per cent reported not using pain relief, compared with 13 per cent for CoC with a doctor, and 19 per cent with standard maternity care);

• More likely to have an upright birthing position (45 per cent, compared with 18 per cent for CoC with a doctor, and 34 per cent with standard maternity care);

• More likely to have a water birth (21 per cent, compared with 3 per cent for CoC with a doctor, and 5 per cent with standard maternity care).

Stark difference in models of care

Ms Keedle said the study revealed stark differences in the models of maternity care available in Australia – with women significantly more likely to report having a positive, affirming experience if they received CoC from a midwife.

‘In the survey, women were asked about their ability to make decisions, and their feelings of control during their pregnancy and the birth of their babies,’ said Ms Keedle.

‘The results indicate that women who had continuity of care with their midwife were more likely to feel safe, secure and supported; more likely to report having a positive birthing experience, where they had more options available to them; and more likely to feel that they were able to make decisions.

‘In comparison, women who received ‘fragmented care’ – often seeing multiple midwives and doctors throughout their pregnancy and not developing a relationship with their care provider – overall experienced lower autonomy, and were more likely to have experiences of feeling belittled or disrespected during childbirth.’

Ms Keedle said the study also uncovered significant differences in the length of time taken for antenatal appointments across different models of maternity care.

‘The majority of women’s appointments were between 10-15 minutes – whereas, if they had continuity of care with a midwife, the appointments were between 30-60 minutes,’ she said.

Ensuring women have a positive birthing experience

Ms Keedle said ensuring that women have a positive birthing experience is important, as a traumatic childbirth can stay with women for the rest of their lives and have significant psychological, emotional, physical and social impacts.

‘Developing a caring, supportive relationship with your health care provider is critical for women to be able to effectively communicate their feelings and preferences, and for their choices to be taken into account in the birthing room,’ she said.

‘What this study highlights, is that the standard medical care provided in Australian maternity wards is not effective.

‘When women see multiple midwives and doctors throughout their pregnancy and do not receive continuity of care, they are more likely to have negative experiences during childbirth.

‘It also shows there is a difference between continuity of care with a midwife and a doctor.’