The Role of Midwives in Supporting Pregnant Women’s Decision-Making
Pregnancy is a time of many changes and choices for women. Some of these choices may be easy, while others may be difficult or complex. How do women make decisions about their pregnancy care, labor, and birth? And how do midwives help them in this process?
Midwives are health professionals who provide care and support to women during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postnatal period. Midwives have a holistic approach to pregnancy and birth, which means they consider the physical, emotional, social, and cultural aspects of each woman’s situation. Midwives also respect the autonomy and preferences of women, and aim to empower them to make informed decisions about their care.
According to the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), one of the core competencies of midwives is to “facilitate informed decision-making by providing evidence-based information and guidance” (ICM, 2019, p. 8). This means that midwives have a responsibility to provide accurate, up-to-date, and unbiased information to women about the benefits and risks of different options for their care. Midwives also have a duty to respect women’s choices, even if they differ from their own views or recommendations.
However, facilitating informed decision-making is not always easy or straightforward. There may be challenges or barriers that prevent women from accessing or understanding information, such as language, literacy, culture, or personal beliefs. There may also be conflicts or pressures from other sources, such as family, friends, health providers, or policies, that influence women’s decisions. Moreover, there may be uncertainty or ambiguity about the best course of action, especially when there is no clear evidence or consensus on the optimal choice.
Therefore, midwives need to use effective communication skills and strategies to support women’s decision-making. Some of these strategies include:
– Building a trusting relationship with women and providing continuity of care
– Listening actively and empathically to women’s concerns and preferences
– Asking open-ended questions and exploring women’s values and goals
– Providing information in a clear, balanced, and tailored way
– Using visual aids, such as leaflets, charts, or videos, to enhance understanding
– Checking comprehension and addressing misconceptions or gaps in knowledge
– Encouraging women to ask questions and seek clarification
– Offering guidance and suggestions based on professional expertise and experience
– Exploring the pros and cons of different options and their implications
– Supporting women to weigh up the benefits and risks according to their own criteria
– Respecting women’s choices and avoiding coercion or judgment
– Documenting the decision-making process and outcomes
– Reviewing and revising decisions as needed
By using these strategies, midwives can help pregnant women make well-informed decisions that are consistent with their values and preferences. This can enhance women’s satisfaction, confidence, and autonomy in their pregnancy and birth experience. It can also improve the quality and safety of maternity care and outcomes for both mothers and babies.
Works Cited
ICM. (2019). International Confederation of Midwives Essential Competencies for Basic Midwifery Practice 2019 Update. https://www.internationalmidwives.org/assets/files/definitions-files/2019/06/icm-essential-competencies-for-basic-midwifery-practice-2019-update.pdf
