| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5122374 | Midwifery | 2017 | 4 Pages |
Objectiveto explore the potential benefits of skills-based childbirth preparation on the work related stress levels of midwives.Designa questionnaire was sent out to midwives who had clients participating in an RCT of an education package for childbirth preparation (The Pink Kit (PK) Method for Birthing Better®) delivered to parents.Settingmidwives were in private practice and acted as lead maternity carers to New Zealand first time mothers.Participantsone hundred and four independent midwives participated.Measurementsa brief questionnaire using a Visual Analogue Scale to portray perceptions of work-related stress and a yes/no question about expected and/or unexpected physical complications.Findingsmidwives working with clients in the intervention group experienced less work-related stress after correction for medical complications compared to the two control groups.Key conclusionsworking with mothers who have used a programme that increased their childbirth self-efficacy decreased the work-related stress experienced by midwives.Implications for practiceencouraging pregnant women to develop childbirth skills merits further investigation in an effort to reduce the work-related stress experienced by midwives.
