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Women's experience of birth in paramedic care
Abstract   Peer reviewed

Women's experience of birth in paramedic care

Belinda Flanagan, Bill Lord, Margaret Barnes and Rachel Reed
Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, Vol.14(1), p.28
Paramedics Australasia International Conference (PAIC), 2016 (Auckland, New Zealand, 17-Nov-2016–19-Nov-2016)
2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.14.1.555
url
https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.14.1.555View
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Abstract

Public Health and Health Services
Introduction: In Queensland, approximately 422 (0.7%) planned hospital births occur prior to arrival at hospital and roughly 75-85% of these occur in or just prior to paramedic care. This research aimed to identify factors related to the need for paramedic attendance, identify possible factors that complicate clinical management and explored opportunities to promote a positive birth experience. Methods: Women who were over the age of 18 years and who had birthed within the last 5 ye rs were recruited via social media and through newspaper advertisements. Using narrative inquiry 20 women were interviewed in person, via phone or skype, depending on their location. Results: Mothers identified a need to avoid attending hospital too early for reasons such as a fear of being sent home or protecting themselves from obstetric interventions. Mothers reported feeling empowered, confident and exhilarated during the birth. However, mothers also identified concerns around privacy, communication, l ck of consent, feeling judged and issues with maternal and paternal bonding. Conclusion: The research described the birth experience of women in the event of a BBA, it described intra-partum care provided by paramedics and identified possible factors that may complicate clinical management of labouring and birthing women.

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