ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2019
"It's what midwifery is all about": Western Australian midwives' experiences of being 'with woman' during labour and birth in the known midwife model.
Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 29 papers.
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Who cites it
29 citing papers in PubMed.
- Midwifery Care Studies: A Reflexive Methodology for a Practice-Based Science.Birth (Berkeley, Calif.) · 2026Article
- Midwives' competence and confidence in Kenya: a sequential explanatory study design.BMC health services research · 2026Article
- "Inspiring mothers' self-entrustment to midwives." midwives' and mothers' perceptions of effective communication in the maternity ward: a qualitative study.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2025Article
- "What You Leave…Will Leave You": A Qualitative Study of Perceptions of Midwifery's Intangible Heritage and Professional Identity Among Midwives and Student Midwives in Cyprus.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Perception, practice and associated factors of labour pain management among obstetric care providers in public health facilities in Harari Region, Ethiopia: a multicentre cross-sectional study.International health · 2025Article
- Perceived causes and contributory conditions for perinatal death: perspectives of midwives, parents, and communities in Northwest Ethiopia-a qualitative study.Frontiers in medicine · 2025Article
- Midwifery care attachments: shaping childbirth agency through care techniques.Frontiers in global women's health · 2025Article
- Experiences of group antenatal care in the context of the NHS in England: what are the mechanisms by which it functions in this context?Frontiers in global women's health · 2025Article
- A survey on the perceptions of midwives, women, and support persons on the introduction of a support person information resource.European journal of midwifery · 2024Article
- The translation and validation of the MES for an Austrian sample.European journal of midwifery · 2024Article
- Article
- An integrative review of supportive relationships between child-bearing women and midwives.Nursing open · 2023Review
- Development and pilot test of a smartphone app for midwifery care in Tanzania: A comparative cross-sectional study.PloS one · 2023Article
- Lithuanian midwives' attitudes and actions during low-risk birth.European journal of midwifery · 2023Article
- Exploring health care professionals' experiences and knowledge of woman-centred care in a university hospital.PloS one · 2023Article
- Normal childbirth: The natural, non-medical, alternative approaches to the most common medical interventions in labor.European journal of midwifery · 2023Article
- The Role of Midwives in the Course of Natural Childbirth-Analysis of Sociodemographic and Psychosocial Factors-A Cross-Sectional Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- The experiences of childbearing women who tested positive to COVID-19 during the pandemic in northern Italy.Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives · 2022Article
- Midwives Perceiving and Dealing With Violence Against Women: Is It Mostly About Midwives Actively Protecting Women? A Modified Grounded Theory Study.Journal of interpersonal violence · 2022Article
- The concept, importance and values of support during childbearing and breastfeeding - A discourse paper.Nursing open · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe phenomenon of being 'with woman' is fundamental to midwifery as it underpins its philosophy, relationships and practices. There is an identified gap in knowledge around the 'with woman' phenomenon from the perspective of midwives providing care in a variety of contexts. As such, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences of being 'with woman' during labour and birth from the perspective of midwives' working in a model where care is provided by a known midwife.
methodsA descriptive phenomenological design was employed with ten midwives working in a 'known midwife' model who described their experiences of being 'with woman' during labour and birth. The method was informed by Husserlian philosophy which seeks to explore the same phenomenon through rich descriptions by individuals revealing commonalities of the experience.
resultsFive themes emerged 1) Building relationships; 2) Woman centred care; 3) Impact on the midwife; 4) Impact on the woman; and 5) Challenges in the Known Midwife model. Midwives emphasised the importance of trusting relationships while being 'with woman', confirming that this relationship extends beyond the woman - midwife relationship to include the woman's support people and family. Being 'with woman' during labour and birth in the context of the relationship facilitates woman-centred care. Being 'with woman' influences midwives, and, it is noted, the women that midwives are working with. Finally, challenges that impact being 'with woman' in the known midwife model are shared by midwives.
conclusionsFindings offer valuable insight into midwives' experiences of being 'with woman' in the context of models that provide care by a known midwife. In this model, the trusting relationship is the conduit for being 'with woman' which influences the midwife, the profession of midwifery, as well as women and their families. Descriptions of challenges to being 'with woman' provide opportunities for professional development and service review. Rich descriptions from the unique voice of midwives, provided insight into the applied practices of being 'with woman' in a known midwife model which adds important knowledge concerning a phenomenon so deeply embedded in the philosophy and practices of the profession of midwifery.
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