Open AccessCulturally appropriate care to support maternal positions during the second stage of labour: Midwives’ perspectives in South Africa
Author(s) -
Maurine R. Musie,
Mmapheko Doriccah Peu,
Varshika Bhana-Pema
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
african journal of primary health care and family medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2071-2936
pISSN - 2071-2928
DOI - 10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3292
Subject(s) - ethnic group , nonprobability sampling , thematic analysis , medicine , nursing , position (finance) , qualitative research , population , health care , obstetrics , maternity care , gender studies , sociology , political science , social science , environmental health , finance , anthropology , law , economics
'Doing what the Romans do in Rome' was an expression raised by one of the midwives following workplace culture and disregarding women's birth choices. Midwifery practice in South Africa caters for a culturally diverse ethnic groups of childbearing women. Culturally appropriate care highlights the importance of including women in decision-making concerning their birth preferences including maternal positions during labour. Women's right to choose their maternal position and cultural preferences during labour has been overlooked, leading to poor maternal healthcare provision and negative birth experiences.