title: Nature works best when allowed to run its course. The experience of midwives promoting normal births in a home birth setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to gain a deeper understanding of how midwives promote a normal birth in a home birth setting in Norway.
  
  
  METHODS
  a qualitative approach was chosen for data collection. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine midwives working in a home birth setting in different areas in Norway. The transcribed interviews were analysed with the help of systematic text condensation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the analysis generated two main themes: «The midwife's fundamental beliefs» and «Working in line with one's ideology». The midwives had a fundamental belief that childbirth is a normal event that women are able to manage. It is important that this attitude is transferred to the woman in order for her to believe in her own ability to give birth. The midwives in the study were able to work according to their ideology when promoting a normal birth at home. To avoid disturbing the natural birth process was described as an important factor. Also crucial was to approach the work in a patient manner. Staying at home in a safe environment and establishing a close relationship with the midwife also contributed positively to a normal birth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the midwife's attitude is important when trying to promote a normal birth. Patience was seen as essential to avoid interventions. Being in a safe environment with a familiar midwife provides a good foundation for a normal birth. The attitude of the midwives towards normal childbirth ought to be more emphasised, also in the context of maternity wards.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Nursing, Midwifery Education, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Mauritz Hansens gt. 2, 7004 Trondheim, Norway. Electronic address: ingvild.aune@ntnu.no.
authors.forename: Ingvild
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aune
authors.affiliation: St. Olavs University Hospital, Department of Women's Health, Olav Kyrres gt. 17, 7006 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Mari A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hoston
authors.affiliation: St. Olavs University Hospital, Department of Women's Health, Olav Kyrres gt. 17, 7006 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Nora J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Kolshus
authors.affiliation: St. Olavs University Hospital, Department of Women's Health, Olav Kyrres gt. 17, 7006 Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Christel E G
authors.initials: CEG
authors.lastname: Larsen
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006700:Home Childbirth / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D009664:Norway; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Home birth; Midwife ideology; Midwifery; Normal birth