Family-centered maternity care in the new millennium: is it real or is it imagined?
Family-centered maternity care (FCMC) has become a familiar phrase in today's maternity services; however, the actual implementation in many hospitals is likely to be more "staff-centered" than "family-centered." This article gives an overview of the historical development of family-centered care and the importance of this model of care to a new or growing family's ability to adapt to the stress of birth and parenting. The current status of FCMC is reviewed in relation to prenatal education, intrapartum care, mother-baby nursing, and family visitation. Many lessons have been learned about implementing FCMC over the past 20 years. Suggestions are provided regarding the development of a vision and mission, the institutional culture, systems and clinical management, staff attitudes, and involvement of families.
Zwelling
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Phillips+Fenwick, Santa Cruz, California, USA.
Phillips
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D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003696:Delivery Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D008960:Models, Psychological; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D011247:Pregnancy; D011582:Psychological Theory; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States