Abstract
Problem
Studies indicate that health promotion in antenatal care can be improved. Moreover,
a schism seems to exist between health promotion and prevention in antenatal care.
Background
Antenatal care to support and improve maternal health is a core midwifery activity
in which prevention as well as HP and woman-centeredness are important.
Aim
To explore how Danish midwives experienced antenatal care and practiced health promotion.
Methods
Midwives undertaking antenatal care were interviewed individually (n = 8) and two focus groups (n = 10) were created. Thematic analysis was performed inductively, and the theoretical
models from Piper’s health promotion practice Framework for midwives were used to
analyse the midwives’ health promotion approach.
Findings
Two major themes were highlighted. Theme 1: ‘The antenatal care context for health
promotion’ described factors contributing to quality in health promotion in antenatal
care, such as communication and building relationships with the pregnant women. Theme
2: ‘The health promotion approach in antenatal care’ described both midwife-focused
and woman-focused approaches to pregnant women’s health. Barriers to high-quality
antenatal care and a holistic health promotion approach were identified, such as shared-care
issues, documentation demands and lack of time.
Discussion
The midwives’ experiences were discussed in the context of a health promotion approach.
Why midwives practice using a midwife-centred approach has many explanations, but
midwives need to learn and help each other understand how they can practice woman-focused
care while simultaneously providing prophylactic, evidence-based care.
Conclusion
Midwives mainly had a midwife-focused approach. To further promote women’s health,
midwives need to focus on a woman-focused approach.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 25, 2021
Accepted:
January 11,
2021
Received in revised form:
January 11,
2021
Received:
September 15,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
