title: Midwives' experiences of labour care in midwifery units. A qualitative interview study in a Norwegian setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In some economically developed countries, women's choice of birth care and birth place is encouraged. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of midwives who started working in alongside/free-standing midwifery units (AMU/FMU) and their experiences with labour care in this setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative explorative design using a phenomenographic approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten strategically sampled midwives working in midwifery units.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis revealed the following five categories of experiences noted by the midwives: mixed emotions and de-learning obstetric unit habits, revitalising midwifery philosophy, alertness and preparedness, presence and patience, and coping with time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Starting to work in an AMU/FMU can be a distressing period for a midwife. First, it may require de-learning the medical approach to birth, and, second, it may entail a revitalisation (and re-learning) of birth care that promotes physiological birth. Midwifery, particularly in FMUs, requires an especially careful assessment of the labouring process, the ability to be foresighted, and capability in emergencies. The autonomy of midwives may be constrained also in AMUs/FMUs. However, working in these settings is also viewed as experiencing "the art of midwifery" and enables revitalisation of the midwifery philosophy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Electronic address: gry.skogheim@uit.no.
authors.forename: Gry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Skogheim
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Clinical Cardiovascular Research Group, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Tove A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hanssen
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016550:Birthing Centers; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D008880:Midwifery; D009321:Natural Childbirth; D009664:Norway; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000523:psychology; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013315:Stress, Psychological
keywords: Autonomy; Experiences; Labour care; Midwifery philosophy; Midwifery unit; Midwives