Research and read at least one article on Respectful Maternity Care and share readings by replying in this discussion forum.
Respectful Maternity Care is an approach to care which emphasizes the fundamental rights of women, newborns, and their families, that enhances having adequate access to evidenced-based care while recognizing the unique needs and preferences of both women and newborns. According to this article, RMC is a complex process which involves both scientific and interpersonal skills of providers. Thus, this study includes exploration of the perceptions of Iranian midwives regarding RMC during labor and childbirth. They view identification of potential barriers and applying effective strategies for implementing respectful maternity care are essential. The article is a qualitative study which involves participants or midwives from two non-teaching public hospitals in Tehran, Iran and the duration was from September to December 2018. The said midwives have more than one year work experience in labor and childbirth. The themes that were gathered from the analysis of the results of semi-constructed interviews include “showing empathy”, “women-centered care”, and “being with women”.
Showing empathy reflects establishing friendly relationships and being with women. Majority of the midwives believed that pregnant women are worried about their own and their baby’s health status and having a good relationship with them would give a friendly atmosphere. Being with women involves understanding the unique situation of the laboring women and their families. In some hospitals, women were not allowed to have a companion of their choice. But they believed that the presence of companion is an important way to provide respectful care for women.
The second theme is women-centered care which is about keeping women safe and participating in decision-making. Midwives believed that some interventions may not be given such as unnecessary vaginal examinations, forced early admission, and electronic fetal heart monitoring continuously during labor and birth. They also believed that time presence at bedside helps to keep women’s health an important part of RMC. Aside from this, most midwives also consider involving women in the care process and decision making by recognizing their preferences and expectations. Midwives believe that they should tell women what is going on at every stage and what they can do to help themselves which can further reduce stress.
Lastly, protecting their rights involves safeguarding dignity, giving equal care, and preparing an appropriate environment. Preventing any mistreatments with laboring women, preserving privacy during labor and childbirth during overcrowded units, and covering their bodies with a bedsheet during examinations are the midwives’ ways in preserving the dignity of the women. In giving equal care, they believe that having prior knowledge of different cultures and taking them into account helps them in avoiding discrimination and fair care for women. Another important component in RMC is providing a comfortable, clean, and quiet labor and birth environment with sufficient equipment for laboring women.
References:
Moridi M, Pazandeh F, Hajian S, Potrata B (2020) Midwives’ perspectives of respectful maternity care during childbirth: A qualitative study. PLoS ONE 15(3): e0229941. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229941