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Review
. 2023 Mar;10(3):1327-1339.
doi: 10.1002/nop2.1447. Epub 2022 Nov 9.

An integrative review of supportive relationships between child-bearing women and midwives

Hadeer Almorbaty  1   2 , Lyn Ebert  3 , Eileen Dowse  1 , Sally Wai-Chi Chan  4
Affiliations
Review

An integrative review of supportive relationships between child-bearing women and midwives

Hadeer Almorbaty et al. Nurs Open. 2023 Mar.

Abstract

Aims: To review and evaluate the literature on the factors related to developing supportive relationships between women and midwives, including facilitators and barriers.

Design: An integrative review.

Method: The search used CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, EMcare, Maternity and Infant Care, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar from January 2009-June 2020. Two reviewers screened the eligible studies, and 2,399 records were identified. Quality was assessed with the mixed methods appraisal tool, and 14 articles were included.

Results: The findings highlight that successful relationships require therapeutic communication, trust, respect, partnership, and shared decision-making. Supportive relationships improve women's satisfaction and birth outcomes, and continuity of care model is an enabling factor. Further research is required to understand supportive relationships in non-continuity of care models and when different cultural backgrounds exist.

Keywords: barriers; experience; facilitators; integrative review; maternity; midwife-woman relationship; midwives; nurses; relationship; supportive.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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