Clinical Study

Intrapartum Care by Midwives: Assesments and Expectations of Mothers

  • Gülseren DAĞLAR
  • Handan GÜLER

J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc 2004;5(1):42-47

Objective:

To evaluate physical and emotional support performed by midwives during intrapartum period and the expectations and assesments of the mothers with regard to the service provided by midwives.

Materials and Methods:

The study population includes 73 laboring women and 10 midwives performing their intrapartum care during the second stage of labor in the Maternity Hospital in Sivas. The physical care and emotional support given by midwives to mothers were evaluated and recorded to the study forms prepared according to th standard care during intrapartum period. The assesment and expectation of mothers related to their intrapartum service provided by midwives were questioned and recorded to the study forms 1 to 3 hours after their delivery. The data related to the age, parity, number of live birth, status of education and employment of the patients were recorded to the study forms. In addition, we collected information from midwives related to their age, parity, status of mariage and education, duration of their midwifery service, attendence to a training course.

Results:

The quality of intrapartum care including physical care, counseling, and emotional support provided by midwives is less than that of the standart care. We found that some procedures and care not provided by the midwives may be assessed by mothers as given to them. We also found that the standart care was requested by mothers during their intrapartum care.

Conclusions:

The midwife must support each parturient during intrapartum care according to their unique physical, social and emotional needs and the standard care. It is required to organize in-service training courses for midwifes to improve their skill and competency.

Keywords: delivery, intrapartum care, emotional support, midwifery