Are student midwives equipped to support normal birth?

Authors: Fry, J. and Wood, J.

Conference: ICM

Dates: 21-25 June 2020

Abstract:

Are student midwives equipped to support normal birth?

Background

Student midwives will determine how midwifery is practiced in the future. In an era of increasing intervention in birth internationally, exposure to normal birth is inevitably declining, together with the experience of learning how to support it. If students do not develop confidence in physiological birth and only feel confident with medicalised birth, we should be concerned that essential skills and knowledge will be lost. This then becomes a vicious circle. It is therefore crucial to consider what factors impact students’ confidence in supporting normal birth. The paucity of relevant research within contemporary midwifery education and practice needs to be addressed.

Objectives

Our research question is:

What factors impact student midwives’ confidence and ability to support normal birth?

Methods

Survey data was gathered from a large cohort of 229 student midwives in the South of England. The questionnaire comprised both closed and open questions exploring both clinical and theoretical learning. Data is currently being analysed using both SPSS and thematic analysis. The study was been approved by the local University Ethics Committee.

Results

Data from preliminary SPSS analysis demonstrates that students increase in confidence with normal birth as they progress through their three year degree. One of the main factors promoting their confidence was theoretical knowledge and this was complemented by frequent and recent exposure

in practice to normal labour and birth. Qualitative analysis of these themes will be presented and discussed.

Conclusions

The data analysis is ongoing and our presentation will include key findings and implications for both practice and education.

Key message

This study illuminates vital factors which strengthen and preserve the essential midwifery skills and knowledge necessary for supporting normal birth, in an age of increasing intervention.

Source: Manual