%0 Journal Article
%T Midwives¡¯ care on a labour ward prior to the introduction of a midwifery model of care: a field of tension
%A Christina Nilsson
%A Ingela Lundgren
%A Lisen Dellenborg
%A Marie Berg
%A Olof Asta Olafsdottir
%J International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
%D 2019
%R https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2019.1593037
%X ABSTRACT Purpose: There is a need to deepen knowledge about midwives¡¯ care in obstetric-led labour wards in which midwives are responsible for normal births. This ethnographic study explores the content and meaning of midwives¡¯ care of women in a hospital-based labour ward in Sweden prior to the introduction of a theoretical midwifery model of care. Methods: Data were gathered through participant observation, analysed through interpretation grounded in reflexivity discussions and are presented in the form of ethnographic descriptions. Results: The midwives¡¯ care was provided in a field of tension in which they had to balance contrasting models of care, described in the themes: The birthing rooms and the office¡ªDifferent rooms of care, Women giving birth or being delivered¡ªMidwives¡¯ expectations and relationships with women, Old and new caring roles of the midwife¡ªWomen giving birth in a ¡°new age¡±, Being and doing¡ªDifferent approaches to caring, and Holistic and reductionist care¡ªGuided by contrasting models and guidelines. The midwives¡¯ freedom to act as autonomous professionals was hindered by medical and institutional models of care and this led to uncertainty regarding their roles as midwives. Conclusions: Midwives having to balance their activities in a field of tension require midwifery models that can guide their practice
%U https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17482631.2019.1593037