Examining the Benefits of Water Births in a Hospital Setting: Perspectives from Midwives and Nurses

Authors

  • Shurouq Ghalib Qadous An- Najah National University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nursing and Midwifery
  • Mohd Khairul Zul Hasymi Firdaus Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61963/jpkt.v2i2.44

Keywords:

Prenatal Care, Childbirth, Postpartum, Hospital Setting

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of midwifery-led care on maternal outcomes, maternal satisfaction, and newborn health in a hospital setting. Specifically, the study sought to compare the effects of midwifery-led care to standard care models, assess maternal preparedness for childbirth, explore rates of medical interventions, evaluate maternal satisfaction, and examine newborn health outcomes. Methods: A total of 200 expectant mothers receiving prenatal care at a tertiary hospital were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (midwifery-led care) and Group B (standard care). Participants' demographic information, medical history, and preferences related to prenatal care were collected using a structured questionnaire. Validated surveys, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), were used to assess postpartum depression. Medical records and prenatal visits were reviewed throughout the pregnancy, and postpartum follow-ups were scheduled to assess maternal outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed to compare outcomes between the two groups. Results: Participants in the midwifery-led care group reported significantly higher levels of birth preparedness (p < 0.001), and rates of medical interventions during childbirth, including cesarean sections, were significantly lower compared to the standard care group (p < 0.05). Maternal satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the midwifery-led care group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the midwifery-led care group showed lower rates of postpartum depression (p < 0.01) and higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding at six weeks postpartum (p < 0.05). Neonates born to mothers in the midwifery-led care group had significantly lower rates of neonatal complications (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The findings of this study provide strong evidence for the positive impact of midwifery-led care on maternal outcomes, maternal satisfaction, and newborn health. The personalized and woman-centered approach of midwifery-led care contributes to improved maternal preparedness, reduced medical interventions, increased maternal satisfaction, lower rates of postpartum depression, and better newborn health outcomes. These results highlight the potential benefits of integrating midwifery-led care models into maternity services, aiming to enhance the overall birthing experience and improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

 

References

Adams, L. R., Collins, S. M., Johnson, M. P., & Smith, K. L. (2021). The Impact of Water Immersion during Labor and Birth: A Systematic Review. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 66(2), 124-135. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13294

Alliman, J., & Phillippi, J. C. (2016). Maternal outcomes in birth centers: an integrative review of the literature. Journal of midwifery & women's health, 61(1), 21-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12356

Atan, ?. U., Ozturk, R., Satir, D. G., Çalim, S. I., Weller, B. K., Amanak, K., ... & Akercan, F. (2018). Relation between mothers’ types of labor, birth interventions, birth experiences and postpartum depression: A multicentre follow-up study. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 18, 13-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2018.08.001

Brady, S., Lee, N., Gibbons, K., & Bogossian, F. (2019). Woman-centred care: An integrative review of the empirical literature. International journal of nursing studies, 94, 107-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.01.001

Brown, A., Davies, R., & Sharma, N. (2020). Breastfeeding and nursing support: A systematic review of interventions. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 16(1), e12977. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12977

Carter, A. B., Thompson, E. R., Wilson, C. J., & Brown, S. M. (2022). Water Births in a Hospital Setting: Addressing Challenges and Best Practices. Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, 49(1), 78-89. https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12514

Dahlberg, U., Persen, J., Skogås, A. K., Selboe, S. T., Torvik, H. M., & Aune, I. (2016). How can midwives promote a normal birth and a positive birth experience? The experience of first-time Norwegian mothers. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 7, 2-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2015.08.001

De Kock, J. H., Latham, H. A., Leslie, S. J., Grindle, M., Munoz, S. A., Ellis, L., ... & O’Malley, C. M. (2021). A rapid review of the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare workers: implications for supporting psychological well-being. BMC public health, 21, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-10070-3

De Labrusse, C., Ramelet, A. S., Humphrey, T., & Maclennan, S. J. (2016). Patient-centered care in maternity services: a critical appraisal and synthesis of the literature. Women's Health Issues, 26(1), 100-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2015.09.003

Edmonds, J. K., Ivanof, J., & Kafulafula, U. (2020). Midwife led units: transforming maternity care globally. Annals of global health, 86(1). https://doi.org/10.5334%2Faogh.2794

Eri, T. S., Berg, M., Dahl, B., Gottfreðsdóttir, H., Sommerseth, E., & Prinds, C. (2020). Models for midwifery care: A mapping review. European Journal of Midwifery, 4. https://doi.org/10.18332%2Fejm%2F124110

Figueiredo, B., Canário, C., & Field, T. (2014). Breastfeeding is negatively affected by prenatal depression and reduces postpartum depression. Psychological medicine, 44(5), 927-936. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291713001530

Gustafsson, I., Nyström, M., & Palmér, L. (2017). Midwives’ lived experience of caring for new mothers with initial breastfeeding difficulties: A phenomenological study. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 12, 9-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2016.12.003

Healy, S., Humphreys, E., & Kennedy, C. (2016). Midwives’ and obstetricians’ perceptions of risk and its impact on clinical practice and decision-making in labour: An integrative review. Women and Birth, 29(2), 107-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2015.08.010

Hodnett, E. D., Fredericks, S., Weston, J., & Lamontagne, C. (2019). Support during pregnancy for women at increased risk of low birthweight babies. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019(8), CD000198. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000198.pub4

Hunter, B., Segrott, J., & Fleming, C. (2021). The impact of continuity of midwifery care for women with social or medical risk factors on postpartum depression: the COSMOS single-site two-arm pilot RCT. Public Health Research, 9(11), 1-188. https://doi.org/10.3310/phr09110

Johnson, R. A., Miller, E. M., Wilson, J. K., & Martinez, P. L. (2020). Advancing Maternal Care: The Role of Midwifery and Nursing Practices. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76(9), 2078-2091. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14425

Jones, L. C., & Brown, C. R. (2018). Nursing Interventions for Birth Preparedness: A Meta-analysis. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 47(4), 502-511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2018.04.012

Jones, L. K., Brown, C. R., & Pritchard, V. E. (2022). Mobile health applications for prenatal care: A systematic review. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 51(2), E14-E27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2021.11.001

Karlström, A., Nystedt, A., & Hildingsson, I. (2015). The meaning of a very positive birth experience: focus groups discussions with women. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 15, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-015-0683-0

Martinez, M. A., Martinez-Schallmoser, L., & Lindeke, L. L. (2019). Cultural competence in maternal care: Perspectives of perinatal nurses. MCN: The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 44(3), 147-152. https://doi.org/10.1097/nmc.0000000000000519

Martinez, M. A., Smith, T. G., Anderson, L. R., & Johnson, D. W. (2020). Cultural Competence in Maternal Care: Training and Strategies for Healthcare Providers. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 31(5), 461-469. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659620934251

Salam, R. A., Mansoor, T., Mallick, D., Lassi, Z. S., Das, J. K., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2014). Essential childbirth and postnatal interventions for improved maternal and neonatal health. Reproductive health, 11, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-4755-11-S1-S3

Sandall, J., Soltani, H., Gates, S., Shennan, A., & Devane, D. (2018). Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018(10), CD004667. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub5

Smith, J. M., Jones, L. K., Adams, B. A., & Wilson, M. R. (2019). The Impact of Midwifery-led Care on Maternal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 64(4), 440-451. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13008 ]

Smith, V., Gallagher, L., Carroll, M., Hannon, K., & Begley, C. (2019). Antenatal and intrapartum interventions for reducing caesarean section, promoting vaginal birth, and reducing fear of childbirth: an overview of systematic reviews. PLoS One, 14(10), e0224313. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224313

Symon, A., Pringle, J., Cheyne, H., Downe, S., Hundley, V., Lee, E., ... & Alderdice, F. (2016). Midwifery-led antenatal care models: mapping a systematic review to an evidence-based quality framework to identify key components and characteristics of care. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 16, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-0944-6

Verbiest, S., Tully, K., Simpson, M., & Stuebe, A. (2018). Elevating mothers’ voices: Recommendations for improved patient-centered postpartum. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 41(5), 577-590. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-018-9961-4

Wadephul, F., Glover, L., & Jomeen, J. (2020). Conceptualising women's perinatal well-being: a systematic review of theoretical discussions. Midwifery, 81, 102598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2019.102598

World Health Organization. (2015). WHO statement on caesarean section rates. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/161442/WHO_R

Yuill, C., McCourt, C., Cheyne, H., & Leister, N. (2020). Women’s experiences of decision-making and informed choice about pregnancy and birth care: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative research. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 20, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03023-6

Downloads

Published

2023-12-28

How to Cite

Ghalib Qadous, S., & Firdaus, M. K. Z. H. . (2023). Examining the Benefits of Water Births in a Hospital Setting: Perspectives from Midwives and Nurses. Jurnal Perilaku Kesehatan Terpadu, 2(2), 9–18. https://doi.org/10.61963/jpkt.v2i2.44