Midwifery practice during the second stage of labour v1 01.10.15
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation into midwifery practice and decision making during the second stage of labour.
IRAS ID
185020
Contact name
Kathryn Nash
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton, Research Governance Office
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 1 days
Research summary
The second stage of labour begins when the woman’s cervix is fully dilated and concludes with the birth of her baby. During this period the physical and psychological demands of labour increase and midwives have a duty to ensure that they monitor the wellbeing of the woman and her baby closely whilst providing support and guidance. There are many clinical dilemmas that may arise during this time and the care and support provided by midwives is crucial in shaping each woman's experience as well as the outcomes of her labour. Several published reports and studies have highlighted the complexities of working within clinical practice although there has been very little published that investigates midwifery practice during the second stage of labour. This study will investigate midwifery practice during the second stage of labour with particular focus on how midwives apply their knowledge and skills during the second stage of labour to inform their decision making. An ethnographic study design will be used that employs both direct observation of midwifery practice during the second stage of labour followed by interviews to build upon and help clarify the observations made. A purposive sample of a maximum of eighteen midwives with a broad range of clinical experience and who provide intrapartum care will be recruited from two practice sites in the South of England. Data obtained will be analysed using a qualitative framework. It is intended that the findings will generate new understanding about an area of practice that is not well researched but has the potential to significantly impact upon the experiences and outcomes for women and their babies.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/WM/0389
Date of REC Opinion
21 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion