Gramling, L., Hickman, K., & Bennett, S. (2004). What makes a good family-centered partnership between women and their practitioners? A qualitative study. Birth, 31(1), 43-48.
This study explored women's experiences and perceptions regarding perinatal care and childbirth at one hospital. Barriers to family-centered maternity care included lack of coordination between community practices and the hospital as well as between physicians and nurses within the hospital, non-supportive patient-provider relationships, and lack of access to services. Factors that facilitated family-centered care included empathy and guidance for women with high-risk condition and available community support programs.
Goudreau, J., Duhamel, F. (2003). Interventions in perinatal family care: A participatory study. Families, Systems, & Health, 21(2), 165-180.
Two researchers, four physicians, and eight couples collaborated to plan, implement, and evaluate a variety of interventions to support adjustment to the parental role during prenatal and postnatal consultations. Five categories of interventions were found to be both helpful to the couples and practical for the physicians. These included supporting fathers' involvement; assessing couples' adjustment; offering anticipatory guidance; acknowledging strengths and supporting adjustment; and collaboratively setting goals for consultations.
Maternity Center Association. (2004). Recommendations from 'Listening to Mothers: The First National U. S. Survey of Women's Childbearing Experiences. Birth, 31(1), 61-65.
Over 1500 women who had given birth between 2000 and 2002 participated in this survey. Key findings and recommendations to improve maternity care are discussed in this report. Variability across the country in labor and birth interventions, birthing methods, timing and amount of mother-infant contact, breastfeeding support are among the topics included. It was suggested that it will be critical for women to provide ongoing input to improve the maternity care system.
Matthews, R., & Callister, L. C. (2004). Childbearing women's perceptions of nursing care that promotes dignity. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 33(4), 498-507.
This qualitative study explored the perceptions of women about dignity during childbirth. Respondents emphasized the importance of being valued and respected by the health care providers and being supported to maintain their preferred level of control. Nursing staff was seen to be particularly important in promoting dignity during childbirth.