Dear Charlotte and all,

Sarah Beake and I did some focus groups with midwives and women as
feasibility work because we had identified from a review of the evidence
some challenges in getting good 'compliance' in trials. 

We didn't think to publish this as it was small-scale and intended to
develop other work, but maybe we should have done. Thinking just from
memory, we identified similar issues to those raised by Amanda. In
particular were

- lack of confidence
- time/staff needed to send midwives to units doing more water births to
get more practical observation and experiences
- need for training to include this
- some issues around it not being a 'norm' in their unit, leading to
nervousness
- some concerns about infection issues

However, the midwives were genuinely interested in getting better
evidence, knowledge and experience as they felt use of water might be
helpful for women.

Chris




-----Original Message-----
From:	A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health
research. on behalf of Amanda Hutcherson
Sent:	Thu 13-Mar-08 6:48 PM
To:	[log in to unmask]
Cc:	
Subject:	Re: Water birth and the midwife

Maybe look at the issues I have discussed, there are certainly articles
around clamping and cutting a nuchal cord and guarding the perineum,
this could lead you to further questioning of the process of birth in
water and current midwifery practice.  Is it what we think it is?!  As
previously recommended Diane Garland could probably help you with issues
such as midwives confidence and training.

Hope this helps, Amanda

 

  _____  

From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health
research. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
charlotte bachtold
Sent: 13 March 2008 18:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Water birth and the midwife

 


Thank you for your quick responses and advice. I have searched the
available databases for articles concerning midwives promotion of a care
option but have had little success. Are there any key articles that the
group could recommend in this area?
Once again than for your help.
Charlotte.

> Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:07:57 +0000
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Water birth and the midwife
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> Hi Charlotte
> You are correct there is little evidence, in terms of primary studies,
> looking at the role of midwives in promoting waterbirths. But if you
> look at the literature on other topics linked to midwives' promotion
of
> a care option, for example home births, the reasons some midwives do
not
> promote these is related to their clinical competence and confidence,
> the support they have from managers, availability of resources
including
> staff numbers to enable educational activities, medical dominance, and
> fear of litigation (note I say fear of, not necessarily actual). This
> list would apply to waterbirths, as well, although not necessarily in
> that order. 
> 
> Best wishes
> LIZ
> ******************************************************************
> Dr Elizabeth R Cluett
> PhD MSc RM RGN PGCEA
> Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery
> University of Southampton 
> tel; 023 8059 7850
> email [log in to unmask]
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A forum for discussion on midwifery and reproductive health
> research. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Charlotte Bachtold
> Sent: 12 March 2008 13:47
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Water birth and the midwife
> 
> My name is Charlotte and I am a final year midwifery degree student
who
> is
> in the middle of her dissertation.
> 
> I have chosen water birth as my topic and having carried out an
> extensive
> electronic and hand search of the literature I have decided to focus
my
> literature review upon what is preventing women from birthing in
water.
> I
> have found a great deal of research regarding the benefits of water
> birth
> and its 'safety' yet I can find very little on the subject of the
> midwives
> role and perspective on water birth. From my own clinical experience I
> am
> aware that midwives play an essential role in the promotion and uptake
> of
> water birth yet I am having difficulty finding anything on this
> interesting
> aspect from a research perspective.
> 
> It is for this reason that I am writing to you to see if anyone has
any
> interesting thoughts or ideas on this subject. Any opinions or advice
> would
> be much appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you,
> 
> Charlotte.

  _____  

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