Midwives’ views on the acceptability of a future trial of the Sims posture for fetal malposition in labor in the context of their knowledge and practice: A mixed-methods study

Introduction Evidence of safe and effective maternal interventions to improve fetal malposition in labor is inconclusive. A contemporary, randomized controlled trial of maternal posture would expand this evidence, however, collaboration with midwives will be critical. The aim of this study is to ass...

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Main Authors: Jennifer Barrowclough, Caroline Crowther, Bridget Kool
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: European Publishing 2022-08-01
Series:European Journal of Midwifery
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.europeanjournalofmidwifery.eu/Midwives-views-on-the-acceptability-of-a-future-trial-of-the-Sims-posture-for-fetal,150377,0,2.html
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author Jennifer Barrowclough
Caroline Crowther
Bridget Kool
author_facet Jennifer Barrowclough
Caroline Crowther
Bridget Kool
author_sort Jennifer Barrowclough
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Evidence of safe and effective maternal interventions to improve fetal malposition in labor is inconclusive. A contemporary, randomized controlled trial of maternal posture would expand this evidence, however, collaboration with midwives will be critical. The aim of this study is to assess midwives’ views on the acceptability of a trial of the Sims posture for fetal malposition in labor and identify current midwifery knowledge and practice surrounding fetal malposition. Methods A mixed-methods study incorporating a web-based survey and guided focus groups with midwives was conducted in New Zealand during 2020. Midwives serving Auckland Hospital and Māori and Pasifika midwives serving South Auckland (n=136) were invited to participate in the study. Data were descriptively analyzed using chi-squared and cross-tabulation. Collaboration with a trial was contextualized by thematic content from survey and focus-group data. Results Fifty (36%) midwives from primary and secondary/tertiary settings responded to the survey, and 19 participated in four focus groups. Most midwives thought maternal posture affects malposition, utilize changes of posture often with the peanut ball, would recommend a posture if cesareans were reduced by 20%, and would definitely or probably collaborate with a labor trial of posture. Fetal monitoring with women in the Sims posture was difficult for nearly one-fifth of midwives. Seven themes emerged regarding trial participation: trial design, relevance, practice, diagnosis, knowledge and skills, and trial compliance. Conclusions Current practice concerning malposition utilizes flexibility of posture. Provision of some free movement and reassurance surrounding trial equipoise may enhance trial collaboration.
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spelling doaj.art-f81895182d994ce383f32887bc7805992022-12-22T04:39:40ZengEuropean PublishingEuropean Journal of Midwifery2585-29062022-08-016August1910.18332/ejm/150377150377Midwives’ views on the acceptability of a future trial of the Sims posture for fetal malposition in labor in the context of their knowledge and practice: A mixed-methods studyJennifer Barrowclough0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6572-8754Caroline Crowther1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9079-4451Bridget Kool2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2537-4688Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandLiggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandSection of Epidemiology and Biostatics, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New ZealandIntroduction Evidence of safe and effective maternal interventions to improve fetal malposition in labor is inconclusive. A contemporary, randomized controlled trial of maternal posture would expand this evidence, however, collaboration with midwives will be critical. The aim of this study is to assess midwives’ views on the acceptability of a trial of the Sims posture for fetal malposition in labor and identify current midwifery knowledge and practice surrounding fetal malposition. Methods A mixed-methods study incorporating a web-based survey and guided focus groups with midwives was conducted in New Zealand during 2020. Midwives serving Auckland Hospital and Māori and Pasifika midwives serving South Auckland (n=136) were invited to participate in the study. Data were descriptively analyzed using chi-squared and cross-tabulation. Collaboration with a trial was contextualized by thematic content from survey and focus-group data. Results Fifty (36%) midwives from primary and secondary/tertiary settings responded to the survey, and 19 participated in four focus groups. Most midwives thought maternal posture affects malposition, utilize changes of posture often with the peanut ball, would recommend a posture if cesareans were reduced by 20%, and would definitely or probably collaborate with a labor trial of posture. Fetal monitoring with women in the Sims posture was difficult for nearly one-fifth of midwives. Seven themes emerged regarding trial participation: trial design, relevance, practice, diagnosis, knowledge and skills, and trial compliance. Conclusions Current practice concerning malposition utilizes flexibility of posture. Provision of some free movement and reassurance surrounding trial equipoise may enhance trial collaboration.http://www.europeanjournalofmidwifery.eu/Midwives-views-on-the-acceptability-of-a-future-trial-of-the-Sims-posture-for-fetal,150377,0,2.htmlmidwivesfetal malpositionmaternal posture
spellingShingle Jennifer Barrowclough
Caroline Crowther
Bridget Kool
Midwives’ views on the acceptability of a future trial of the Sims posture for fetal malposition in labor in the context of their knowledge and practice: A mixed-methods study
European Journal of Midwifery
midwives
fetal malposition
maternal posture
title Midwives’ views on the acceptability of a future trial of the Sims posture for fetal malposition in labor in the context of their knowledge and practice: A mixed-methods study
title_full Midwives’ views on the acceptability of a future trial of the Sims posture for fetal malposition in labor in the context of their knowledge and practice: A mixed-methods study
title_fullStr Midwives’ views on the acceptability of a future trial of the Sims posture for fetal malposition in labor in the context of their knowledge and practice: A mixed-methods study
title_full_unstemmed Midwives’ views on the acceptability of a future trial of the Sims posture for fetal malposition in labor in the context of their knowledge and practice: A mixed-methods study
title_short Midwives’ views on the acceptability of a future trial of the Sims posture for fetal malposition in labor in the context of their knowledge and practice: A mixed-methods study
title_sort midwives views on the acceptability of a future trial of the sims posture for fetal malposition in labor in the context of their knowledge and practice a mixed methods study
topic midwives
fetal malposition
maternal posture
url http://www.europeanjournalofmidwifery.eu/Midwives-views-on-the-acceptability-of-a-future-trial-of-the-Sims-posture-for-fetal,150377,0,2.html
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