2025/04/10 by Luegmair, Karolina, Ayerle, Gertrud M., Steckelberg, Anke
#Design #Hebamme #Kreißsaal #Medicine and health #Orientierung #Praxis #delivery room #design #midwife #orientation #practice
paper · doi:10.3205/zhwi000031
Background: In Germany, midwifery is currently characterised by a high proportion of C-sections. Efforts to significantly reduce this rate in line with WHO recommendations and enable more women to have a vaginal birth include redesigning hospital birthing rooms. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine midwives’ professional practice in terms of their action-guiding orientations when working in an alternatively designed birthing room in contrast with the conventional birthing room. Method: The study employed a qualitative approach, conducting a total of 16 narrative, topic-centred individual interviews with midwives working in different birthing environments. The documentary method was then used to analyse the interviews. Results: Patterns of orientation can help explain the working practice of midwives in different types of birthing room if aspects of basic care options, professional socialisation and attitudes towards the room are taken into account. Orientation towards the birthing woman cannot be consistently achieved by midwives if problems are experienced in the relevant dimensions. Discussion and conclusion: The working practice of midwives cannot be explained and understood independently of birthing room design. Only once all dimensions of midwives’ working practice are taken into account and the necessary changes initiated can midwifery practice be achieved that is in line with a consistent orientation towards the birthing woman.