Midwives' navigation and perceived power during decision-making related to augmentation of labour.
OBJECTIVE
to explore and understand how midwives perceive and experience decision-making about augmentation of labour.


METHODS
focus-group discussions.


METHODS
Stockholm, Sweden.


METHODS
20 midwives experienced in working in labour wards.


RESULTS
five categories were identified that illustrate the factors considered by the midwives to influence decision-making during augmentation of labour: 'regulations and guidelines'; 'shortage of delivery rooms'; 'influence of obstetricians'; 'women in labour'; and 'midwives' professional selves'. The theme identified was how midwives managed to 'navigate' these factors, which provided midwives with a decisive influence during the decision-making process.


CONCLUSIONS
midwife job satisfaction can result from a sense of professional power over the possibility of navigating factors that influence decision-making during augmentation of labour. This sense of power can subsequently influence co-operation with both obstetricians and women during labour.
Blix-Lindström
Sabine
S
Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SE-171 77, Sweden. sabine.blix-lindstrom@ki.se
Johansson
Eva
E
Christensson
Kyllike
K
D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000451:nursing*; D008880:Midwifery / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D010120:Oxytocics; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D011209:Power, Psychological; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
D010120:Oxytocics