This thesis is based on follow-up research from a project undertaken by my supervisor, Cecilia Benoit and colleagues (2007) entitled Social Determinants of Postpartum Depression: A Mixed-Methods Longitudinal Study (henceforth referred to as the “postpartum and health project study” -- PPHS). The PPHS examined the prevalence of postpartum depression amongst a diverse sample of mothers in Victoria, British Columbia. The main findings illustrate that the greater a woman’s satisfaction with maternity care, the lesser her likelihood of postpartum depression. The group of participants with the least satisfaction was those who were transferred from midwifery care to obstetrical care. This group also had a lower mean income than other care provider groups, such as those who retained their midwives, pointing to the connection between socio-economic status and quality of care.
In search of dignified maternity care for all women, that is care that is respectful and autonomous, my research foregrounds the narratives of women who were transferred from a midwife to an obstetrician during their labour or birth (n=11). I examine the formal and informal support they receive, and interactions between health care practitioners and reasons for satisfaction or dissatisfaction with care. I also compare the experiences of women who were transferred from a midwife to an obstetrician with those who retained their midwife in the PPHS.
My findings indicate that both sample groups’ satisfaction of care and well-being was due to feeling they had autonomy over the birthing process, adequate information from health care providers about medical and technological procedures, and support. The participants’ who were transferred, however, were less likely than the group who retained their midwife to experience the above elements of care. Participants who were transferred said they felt invaded by unnecessary procedures and technology, which contributed to a decreased level of autonomy. However, both sub-samples were affected by a lack of multi-disciplinary teamwork in the hospital setting. This had more of a negative impact on participants who were transferred from a midwife to an obstetrician.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uvic.ca/oai:dspace.library.uvic.ca:1828/1494 |
| Date | 12 August 2009 |
| Creators | Taylor, Kara |
| Contributors | Benoit, Cecilia |
| Source Sets | University of Victoria |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | Available to the World Wide Web |
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