Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40361048›Full record

ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2025

'This is like tradition, lie on your back, hold your leg, and push': understanding midwives' perspectives on their choice of labour positions in a Ugandan hospital.

Zuhaira Husna Fatma, Helle Mölsted Alvesson, Gertrude Namazzi, Josephine Babirye Kyobe, Elizabeth Ayebare

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Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Zuhaira Husna FatmaDepartment of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. zuhaira.husna.fatma@stud.ki.se.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-0114-7557
Helle Mölsted AlvessonDepartment of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. helle.molsted-alvesson@ki.se.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6109-7203
Gertrude NamazziDepartment of Health Policy Planning and Management, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1239-8311
Josephine Babirye KyobeDepartment of Health Policy Planning and Management, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Elizabeth AyebareDepartment of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5636-5258

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionDespite the well-documented benefits of upright positions and mobility during labour and childbirth, the adoption of these remains limited. Offering women choices in labour positions is essential for respectful maternity care. Since midwives play a pivotal role in guiding women through labour, their perspectives are crucial to the effective integration of these practices.

aimThe study aimed to understand midwives' perspectives and reasoning behind their choice of labour positions.

methodsThis qualitative study was conducted in a regional referral hospital in eastern Uganda. Twelve midwives were recruited purposively at two different time points in December 2020 and February 2024. A data-driven reflexive thematic analysis was conducted.

resultsMidwives' choice of labour positions was based on their understanding of the advantages and disadvantages for mothers and babies. Midwives were only open to changing their practices when they were confident in their knowledge and skills. The availability of resources influenced their perspectives on which positions were most feasible and effective in different situations. The midwives prioritised assessment of the mother's clinical condition rather than her preferences when choosing birth positions.

conclusionThis study highlighted midwives' willingness to support different and, to them, new labour positions when confident in their efficacy and safety. Addressing misconceptions about risks and equipment needs is therefore crucial. The prevailing provider-centric norms in hospitals may shape midwives' approach to care, highlighting the need for supportive environments to foster midwives' confidence in new practices.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelChoice BehaviorDelivery, ObstetricLabor, ObstetricMidwiferyNurse MidwivesPatient PositioningAdultFemaleHumansPregnancyQualitative ResearchUgandaHospital settingLabour positionsMidwiferyRespectful maternity care

Identifiers

PMID40361048
PMCPMC12070630

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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.