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. 2022 Apr 1:6:16.
doi: 10.18332/ejm/146084. eCollection 2022.

Implementation of a midwifery model of woman-centered care in practice: Impact on oxytocin use and childbirth experiences

Ingela Lundgren  1   2 , Anna Dencker  1 , Marie Berg  1   2 , Christina Nilsson  3 , Liselotte Bergqvist  2 , Ólöf-Ásta Ólafsdóttir  4
Affiliations

Implementation of a midwifery model of woman-centered care in practice: Impact on oxytocin use and childbirth experiences

Ingela Lundgren et al. Eur J Midwifery. .

Abstract

Introduction: Theoretical models for midwifery have been developed in different countries, but few have been evaluated. This study evaluated the implementation of a midwifery model of woman-centered care (MiMo) in practice.

Methods: A mixed method study based on an implementation of MiMo was carried out in a labor ward at a university hospital in Sweden, with another labor ward as a reference. The qualitative core component was a secondary analysis of focus groups with midwives after the implementation. The supplemental quantitative components were oxytocin use for augmentation of labor and women's childbirth experiences before and after the implementation.

Results: The midwives viewed MiMo as a useful tool for comprehending the birthing woman holistically, and for identifying what might disturb the birth process. Hindering factors were a lack of organizational stability and time, and midwives' unwillingness to understand the model. Oxytocin use decreased significantly only in the implementation ward (p=0.002) and a significant difference was found between wards in the post-implementation period (p=0.004). However, logistic regression analyses showed that the interaction between ward and time period, controlling for age, epidural use, and birth outcome, was not significant (p=0.304), indicating that the decrease was not significantly related to the implementation. Childbirth experience did not differ before and after the implementation.

Conclusions: By using MiMo in practice, midwives have a tool for comprehending the woman holistically and identifying disturbing factors during the birth. However, more research is needed for further implementation that should focus on the potential as well as hindering factors.

Keywords: midwifery; mixed method; theoretical models of care; woman-centered care.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and none was reported.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The midwifery model of woman-centered care (MiMo)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Rates of oxytocin stimulation between the Implementation Ward and the Reference Ward
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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