Jenny Hall
Bournemouth University
Jenny has been in involved in midwifery for over 30 years. Her passion is to view families’ holistically and has published widely on these topics. She leads a unit on the Postgraduate certificate for education, developing educators. and is Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Authority.
BackgroundThe UK National Maternity Services Review (2016) highlighted the importance of personalised, woman-centred maternity care. Though significant for all pregnant women receiving UK maternity care, it is particularly... [ view full abstract ]
Background
The UK National Maternity Services Review (2016) highlighted the importance of personalised, woman-centred maternity care. Though significant for all pregnant women receiving UK maternity care, it is particularly relevant for women with known physical or sensory disability or long-term medical conditions. This study focused on disabled women’s perceptions of their human rights and dignity throughout the care they received.
Method
This was a two-phase, inter-professional, mixed methods study that utilised an online survey and narrative interviews. Participants were recruited through disability and parenting networks including social media. Participants for phase 2 were given the opportunity in phase 1 to opt in for telephone or ‘skype’ interview. Survey data were analysed descriptively and open questions were themed. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.
Results
Overall the survey indicated high satisfaction with care, but negative experiences were described. Key challenges included a lack of continuity of carer (37% were dissatisfied); not being listened to (44% were dissatisfied); feeling they were treated less favourably because of their disability (51%) and feeling that maternity care providers did not have appropriate attitudes to disability (56%). Interview themes echoed the survey findings, when women described lack of individualised care, how their disability affected their choices, the effect of continuity carer, lack of knowledge shown in the multidisciplinary team and implications of not being listened to, including that their judgement about their own bodies were ignored or undermined.
Discussion
The results are of importance related to knowledge and understanding of disability and pregnancy and working in a coordinated, multidisciplinary team. It also highlights that some disabled women feel support and communication is inadequate and poorly tailored to their needs. Providing a ‘normal’ focus of childbirth is of relevance to some women.
Conclusion
The study reveals important lessons for maternity care. The presentation will discuss the women’s voices in relation to ‘normal’ childbirth in particular and the relevance to maternity services.
References
Birthrights. Dignity in Childbirth: The Dignity survey 2013: Women’s and Midwives Experiences of UK Maternity Care 2013 London: Birthrights. [internet] Available from: http://www.birthrights.org.uk/...:
NHS England National Maternity review Better births: improving outcomes of maternity services in England A five year forward view for maternity care 2016 [internet] available from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-...
1. Studies that integrate knowledge from a range of scientific approaches and/or perspecti , Basic science studies of the physiology, biochemistry, psychology, and sociology of normal , Studies of and contributions to practice and/or service organisation
