Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31638923›Full record

ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2019

Midwives' perceptions of being 'with woman': a phenomenological study.

Zoe Bradfield, Yvonne Hauck, Ravani Duggan, Michelle Kelly

Abstract read
In one paragraph

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 21 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
21citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

21 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Review
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Review
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Midwives' experiences of providing maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives · 2022
    Article
  15. Article
  16. Article
  17. Article
  18. Article
  19. Article
  20. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Zoe BradfieldSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Bentley, 6845, Western Australia. zoe.bradfield@curtin.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1013-0461
Yvonne HauckSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Bentley, 6845, Western Australia.
Ravani DugganSchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Bentley, 6845, Western Australia.
Michelle KellySchool of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Bentley, 6845, Western Australia.

Funding

Australian Government Research Training Program 00-00Department of Health, Government of Western Australia Advancing the Midwifery Profession Fellowship
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBeing 'with woman' is a central construct of the midwifery profession however, minimal research has been undertaken to explore the phenomenon from the perspective of midwives. The aim of this study was to describe Western Australian midwives' perceptions of the phenomenon of being 'with woman' during the intrapartum period.

methodsDescriptive phenomenology was selected as the methodology for this study. Thirty one midwives working across a variety of care models participated in individual interviews. Giorgi's four stage phenomenological approach was employed to analyse data.

resultsThree themes were extracted 1) Essential to professional identity; 2) Partnership with women; and 3) Woman-Centred Practice. Midwives described the importance of being 'with woman' to the work and identification of midwifery practice. Developing a connection with the woman and providing woman-centred care inclusive of the woman's support people was highlighted.

conclusionsFor the first time, we are able to offer evidence of how midwives understand and perceive the phenomenon of being 'with woman' which has theoretical and practical utility. Findings from this study provide evidence that supports expert commentary and confirms that midwives conceptualise the phenomenon of being 'with woman' as essential to the identity and practice of the profession. Some previously identified 'good midwifery practices' were revealed as practical manifestations of the phenomenon. This new knowledge facilitates clarity and provides evidence to support statements of professional identity, which is useful for the development of educational curricula as well as supporting graduate and professional midwives. The findings emphasise the importance of the development of language around this important philosophical construct which permeates midwifery practice, enhances professional agency and supports the continued emphasis of being 'with woman' with new understanding of its applied practices in a variety of care models.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelMaternal Health ServicesMidwiferyParturitionPerceptionProfessional-Patient RelationsQualitative ResearchAdultDelivery, ObstetricFemaleHumansInterprofessional RelationsMiddle AgedPregnancyWestern AustraliaMidwiferyPhenomenologyPhilosophyProfessional identity‘With woman’

Identifiers

PMID31638923
PMCPMC6802311

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.