Water Birth: The Experiences and Perceptions of Childbirth Health Care Professionals in Alberta Hospitals

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorGoldsworthy, Sandra
dc.contributor.authorMercredi, Ashleigh
dc.contributor.committeememberSnell, Diana
dc.contributor.committeememberReilly, Sandra M.
dc.contributor.committeememberBouchal, Shelley Raffin
dc.date2020-06
dc.date.accessioned2020-01-20T16:44:02Z
dc.date.available2020-01-20T16:44:02Z
dc.date.issued2020-01-15
dc.description.abstractThe differences between the medical and midwifery models of childbirth challenge whether the medical model of childbirth represents the best standard of care for women. The introduction and progression of increased access of midwifery services in Alberta has led to water birth becoming more accessible. Water birth, is currently taking place in hospitals in Alberta with claims from midwifery clinics that over 70% of their mothers have given birth in water (Birth Partnership Midwives, n. d.). Although several studies have been conducted regarding patient perspectives surrounding this practice, very little research has been carried out to investigate the perceptions and experiences of childbirth health care professionals (HCPs) who either actively participate in water birth or are exposed to water birth in their work site. A quantitative, nonexperimental, descriptive research study design in the form of a cross-sectional online survey was used to gain a better understanding of the level of support that exists for this practice within the province and explore the overall perceptions and experiences of childbirth HCPs in terms of perceived benefits, risks and barriers toward water birth. Respondents comprised 214 registered nurses, 38 registered midwives, 41 physicians, and 11 obstetricians (N=304). Results showed that childbirth HCPs had a positive level of support for water birth as a practice in Alberta. A significant difference in support levels between the different HCP groups was noted, except for the physician-obstetrician pair. Childbirth HCPs generally perceived high benefits, but also high barriers, high maternal risk, and high other risk associated with water birth. Attitudes toward neonatal risk were more ambiguous. More research is needed to better understand what underlying factors impact the perception of water birth benefits, risks, and barriers to skew either more negatively or more positively. The future of water birth depends not only on more research, but on the beliefs and experiences of the people involved in the birthing process, which includes not only all varieties of childbirth HCPs and women experiencing childbirth, but also other roles within the health care system that impact the delivery of patient care (i.e., administrators, patients, and policy makers).en_US
dc.identifier.citationMercredi, A. (2020). Water Birth: The Experiences and Perceptions of Childbirth Health Care Professionals in Alberta Hospitals (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/37474
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/111522
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisher.facultyNursingen_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjectwater birthen_US
dc.subjectwaterbirthen_US
dc.subjectunderwater birthen_US
dc.subjectchildbirthen_US
dc.subjectperceptionsen_US
dc.subjectexperiencesen_US
dc.subjectattitudesen_US
dc.subjectbeliefsen_US
dc.subjectopinionsen_US
dc.subjecthealth care professionalen_US
dc.subjecthealth care provideren_US
dc.subject.classificationNursingen_US
dc.titleWater Birth: The Experiences and Perceptions of Childbirth Health Care Professionals in Alberta Hospitalsen_US
dc.typemaster thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineNursingen_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Nursing (MN)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrueen_US
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
ucalgary_2020_mercredi_ashleigh.pdf
Size:
1.63 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
2.62 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Open Theses and Dissertations