Women's experiences of remote video calls with a labour ward midwife during early labour

Viola Nyman; Ann Svensson; Malin Hansson; Anette Johnsson

doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101620

Women's experiences of remote video calls with a labour ward midwife during early labour

Women Birth. 2024 May 4;37(4):101620. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101620. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Viola Nyman¹, Ann Svensson², Malin Hansson³, Anette Johnsson⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Sciences, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden; Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Research and Development, NU-Hospital Group, Trollhättan, Sweden. Electronic address: viola.nyman@vgregion.se.
² School of Business, Economics and IT, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden. Electronic address: ann.svensson@hv.se.
³ Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Region Västra Götaland, Research and Development Primary Healthcare, Sweden. Electronic address: malin.hansson@fhs.gu.se.
⁴ Department of Health Sciences, University West, Trollhättan, Sweden. Electronic address: anette.johnsson@hv.se.

PMID: 38704959
DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101620

Abstract

Background: In an increasingly strained maternity care system with a shortage of midwives and great demands for service, pregnant women in their early labour are at risk of receiving insufficient support. Women make calls and visit the labour ward on multiple occasions before being admitted. A video call with a labour ward midwife during early labour is an unknown practice but could support pregnant women and their partners during this uncertain period.

Aim: The study aimed to describe women's experiences of remote video calls with a labour ward midwife during early labour.

Methods: A qualitative study comprising nine semi-structured interviews followed by an inductive thematic analysis was conducted.

Results: The results revealed that video calls prepared women and their partners by means of practical support. They received an assessment of early labour and the interaction with labour ward midwives prepared them for the impending birth. The participants reported feeling secure and strengthened by being met at their current stage of labour. Furthermore, they found the service accessible, easy to use and emphasised the need for increased availability and continuity.

Conclusion: This study highlights the positive impact of video calls in early labour when conducted by competent labour ward midwives. The perceived accessibility and ease of use e-health system underscore a demand for extended availability. These findings indicate the potential benefits of integrating video calls in labour care to enhance support, security, accessibility and overall satisfaction for pregnant women and their partners.

Keywords: Early labour; Midwife; Pregnancy; Remote video calls; Support; Thematic analysis.