Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

2-2021

Academic Year

2020-2021

Abstract

Introduction: Maternity ward pre-, peri-, and postnatal room sharing creates concerns regarding maternal privacy (particularly confidentiality and dignity), paternal involvement in birthing process, and staff workflow efficiency. This study aimed to understand the current state of the aforementioned concerns and their impact on maternal child bonding and maternal mental health at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH).

Methods: At discharge, mothers of birth (MOBs) were surveyed on pre-, peri-, and postnatal experience with regard to privacy and paternal involvement in the birthing process, and then assessed using the Mother to Infant Bonding Scale and Edinburg Depression Scale. Father of births (FOBs) or male partners present at discharge were surveyed on quality of experience, level and duration of involvement in the birthing process, and reason for choosing such involvement. All surveys were administered until saturation was reached and then analyzed with inductive thematic analysis. Paths of clinicians and nurse/midwives were mapped using GPS-enabled pedometers for two dayshifts and two nightshifts each.

Results: Common themes identified among MOBs (N = 35) included… Major themes identified among FOBs (N = 35) included… An average of ___ and ___ steps per day were taken by clinicians (N = 4) and nurse/midwives (N = 4), respectively, with most time spent … and inefficiencies identified in…

Conclusion: Improvements to privacy in the QECH maternity ward are necessary to preserve MOB dignity and confidentiality and promote inclusion of FOBs and male partners in the birthing process. Architectural solutions are necessary to reduce existing inefficiencies in average staff workflow.

Language

English

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