Abstract
Background
A pilot study was undertaken between 2006 and 2008 to explore the feasibility of implementing
the CenteringPregnancy model of group antenatal care in Australia. The study was undertaken
at two hospital antenatal clinics and two community healthcare centres in southern
Sydney. This paper reports on one arm of the pilot study, known as the ‘Midwives’
Study’, which aimed to explore the experiences of the midwives as they moved from
providing traditional one-to-one antenatal care to facilitating group antenatal care.
Methods
The Australian pilot study used Action Research. Eight midwives, the group facilitators,
and three researchers formed the Action Research group. A qualitative descriptive
approach was undertaken to describe the experiences of the midwives. Data were collected
using focus groups, surveys and checklists and analysed using thematic content analysis.
Findings
The midwives’ initial fears and misgivings about undertaking the new role of group
antenatal care gave way to a growing confidence in their abilities and group facilitation
skills. They appreciated: the benefits of the CenteringPregnancy model for pregnant
women; new opportunities to develop positive relationships with women and their colleagues;
and the structured support and education throughout all stages of the Action Research
process.
Conclusion
The midwives were enthusiastic about their experiences of becoming CenteringPregnancy
facilitators and described the benefits of this model of care compared to traditional
one-to-one antenatal care. Support and education of the midwives through structured
Action Research cycles enhanced the effective implementation of this new model.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 27, 2012
Accepted:
August 6,
2012
Received in revised form:
July 29,
2012
Received:
March 11,
2012
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc.
