Salas, Norma; Condie, Kali; Cook, Lauralee (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Jensen, Francine (Utah Valley University, Nursing)
Problem Statement:
Depending on the provider a woman has during her delivery, the education, interventions, and care she receives will differ. Variations of care under an obstetrician and gynecologist (OB/GYN) compared to a midwife may produce differing satisfactory results for women experiencing labor and delivery.
Purpose:
The purpose of this research study is to discover if women who have delivered with both an obstetrician/gynecologist and a midwife are more satisfied with their birthing experience under the care of one provider compared to the other.
Research Question:
Are women who have experienced labor and delivery with an OB/GYN and a midwife more satisfied with their birthing experiences from one provider compared to the other?
Background:
In a patient-centered world, it should be up to the provider and expecting mother to choose the modality of delivery they would like, including the place, medical interventions, positioning, and methods of delivery. OB/GYNs and Midwives vary in practices, and implementations during gestation and delivery. Dissatisfaction with labor and delivery is an aspect of the current healthcare industry that needs to be addressed in order to improve patient care. Coxon, Sandall, and Fulop highlight this issue by pointing out that many women feel constrained with their decisions regarding labor and delivery and that delivery opportunities may be limited due to influences from cultural and historical associations as practiced by the provider (2014). Patient satisfaction is also influenced by pressures women in labor and delivery experience in order to accommodate their providers wishes.
Hope to accomplish:
We hope to determine if women's satisfaction during their labor and delivery experiences are higher with either a midwife or an obstetrician/gynecologist, as well as to promote better education and patient autonomy to increase patient experience satisfaction.