Abstract
Background
In Australia, publicly-funded homebirth is a relatively new option for women and their
families. Two years after the inception of two publicly funded homebirth services
in Victoria in 2009, a study found that midwives’ experiences were more positive than
doctors. There is no recent evidence on the perspectives of midwives and doctors of
publicly-funded homebirth programs.
Aim
To explore the experiences of midwives and doctors participating in or supporting
one publicly-funded homebirth program in Australia.
Methods
An interpretive descriptive approach was used following individual in-depth interviews
via ‘Zoom’. Participants included midwives and doctors who provide or support the
homebirth service at a large metropolitan health service in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Data were thematically analysed.
Findings
Interviews were conducted with 16 homebirth midwives, six hospital-based midwives,
and nine doctors. One central theme and three sub-themes demonstrate that effective
relationships are critical to a successful publicly-funded homebirth program. Collaboration,
teamwork, and mutual respect across professions were reported to be integral to success.
The midwife-woman relationship was highly valued and especially important to provide
continuity during transfers to the hospital where this occurred.
Discussion
Effective relationships underpin collaborative practice and are critical for safe
healthcare. Shared common learning opportunities such as simulation training sessions
and multi-professional forums to discuss cases were perceived to assist the development
of these relationships.
Conclusion
Effective relationships within and between midwives and doctors are key to collaborative
practice, which underpins a successful publicly-funded homebirth service. Health services
can support this by maintaining a respectful and supportive culture amongst staff.
Abbreviations:
PPM (privately practicing midwife), MGP (Midwifery Group Practice), HBM (homebirth midwife), MC (midwifery core staff in the birth suite), DOC (doctor)Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 03, 2023
Accepted:
December 15,
2022
Received in revised form:
December 1,
2022
Received:
September 6,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
