Midwifery Students' Definitions of Normal Labor and Birth: A Study From Five Countries

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Midwifery Education
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Medical interventions are routinely used in maternity care without clear medical necessity.
• This medicalization impacts midwives' practices and students' learning experiences in normal labor and birth.
• Understanding students' perceptions of normal labor and birth is crucial for high-quality maternal and newborn care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore midwifery students' understanding of 'normal labor and birth'.
• To identify key components defining normal labor and birth from students' perspectives.
• To inform midwifery education and future practice.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was developed based on existing evidence.
• The survey was distributed to midwifery students across Australia, England, Northern Ireland, Poland, and the United States.
• Data was collected between February 2019 and December 2023.

Main Results:

• 664 students responded to the question on normal labor and birth.
• Seven themes emerged: minimal intervention, spontaneous onset, woman-centered care, disputed concept of normal, midwife's role, outcomes, and environment.
• Students' definitions highlighted vaginal birth with minimal intervention and respectful, woman-centered care.

Conclusions:

• Midwifery students across diverse countries share a comparable understanding of normal labor and birth.
• This shared understanding is influenced by education and clinical experiences.
• The findings have implications for the future of midwifery practice and professional identity.