A qualitative study of how caseload midwifery is experienced by couples in Denmark.
BACKGROUND
Caseload midwifery is expanding in Denmark. There is a need for elaborating in-depth, how caseload midwifery influences the partner and the woman during childbirth and how this model of care influences the early phases of labour.


OBJECTIVE
To follow, explore and elaborate women's and their partner's experiences of caseload midwifery.


METHODS
Phenomenology of practice was the analytical approach. The methodology was inspired by ethnography, and applied methods were field observations followed by interviews. Ten couples participated in the study. Most of the couples were observed from the onset of labour until childbirth. Afterwards, the couples were interviewed.


RESULTS
The transition from home to hospital in early labour was experienced as positive. During birth, the partner felt involved and included by the midwife. The midwives remembered and recognized the couple's stories and wishes for childbirth and therefore they felt regarded as "more than numbers". Irrespective of different kinds of vulnerability or challenges among the participants, the relationship was named a professional friendship, characterised by equality and inclusiveness. One drawback of caseload midwifery was that the woman was at risk of being disappointed if her expectations of having a known midwife at birth were not fulfilled.


CONCLUSIONS
From the perspective of women and their partners, attending caseload midwifery meant being recognised and cared for as an individual. The partner felt included and acknowledged and experienced working in a team with the midwife. Caseload midwifery was able to solve problems concerning labour onset or gaining access to the labour ward.
University College of Northern Denmark, Selma Lagerløfs Vej 2, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark; Clinical Nursing Research, Aalborg University Hospital, Sdr. Skovvej 15, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Sdr. Skovvej 15, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark. Electronic address: irj@ucn.dk.
Ingrid
I
Jepsen
Clinical Nursing Research, Aalborg University Hospital, Sdr. Skovvej 15, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark; Medical Clinic, Aalborg University Hospital, Hobrovej 18-22, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark.
Edith
E
Mark
Centre for Midwifery, Child and Family Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Australia.
Maralyn
M
Foureur
Research Unit for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
Ellen A
EA
Nøhr
Clinical Nursing Research, Aalborg University Hospital, Sdr. Skovvej 15, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Sdr. Skovvej 15, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark.
Erik E
EE
Sørensen
D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D003718:Denmark; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology*; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D036801:Parturition; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018454:Spouses; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Caseload midwifery; Continuity of care; Participants’ experiences; Qualitative research; The partners’ role