Certified nurse-midwifery care of the postpartum client. A descriptive study

This article presents the findings of a small, descriptive, exploratory study aimed at identifying the content and process components of certified nurse-midwifery care in the postpartum period. The conceptual framework, methods, and analysis were derived from the research of E.J. Lehrman, who identified components of CNM antepartum care. Lehrman's components of prenatal care were all found to be present in the postpartum period, but new data emerged. These data generated three distinctively new categories, ie, therapeutic techniques, lateral relationship, and empowerment. Albeit from a small study, our findings support previous research suggesting aspects of CNM care that might be partially responsible for improved perinatal outcome documented in various populations where CNM care has been established. The article concludes with a discussion of these implications for practice and the need for further definition of the profession of nurse-midwifery.