Date of Award
5-2024
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts (A.B.)
Restricted/Unrestricted
Unrestricted = Publicly available
Abstract
In the wake of high maternal and infant mortality rates in the United States, there is a need for childbirth care reform, and investigating the methods with which individuals prepare for this life event grants us insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the current system. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact on preparedness between individuals that used OB/GYNs and those that used midwives to determine how different practitioner types were perceived by their patients. I conduct a qualitative and quantitative survey of people that have given birth in the United States and analyze the results for statistical and thematic trends. My major finding is that individuals did not perceive childbirth as a static event but a process that encapsulated pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum experiences. I also identify that midwives have a more positive impact on the birth experience; they recommended more resources, were reported as superior in preparing their patients for postpartum, and provided a continuity of care that was desired by most participants. To answer the question of whether a midwifery model of care should be implemented in the United States, I compare these results with those I had found in a previous study conducted in the Netherlands and conclude that nationwide implementation would be culturally and systemically disruptive. I suggest that it is best to prioritize the birthing person’s experience and opinions within the context of the systems already in place within each nation.
Mentor
René Esparza
Recommended Citation
Matthews, Abigail, "Comparing Preparedness by Midwives and OBGYNs: Should the United States Implement a Midwifery Model of Care?" (2024). Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Honors Papers. 2.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/wgss_honors/2