The Experience of Vaginal Breech Birth a Social, Cultural and Gendered

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Experience of Vaginal Breech Birth a Social, Cultural and Gendered The experience of vaginal breech birth A social, cultural and gendered context Jenny Davidson RM, BSc, PGCert, MA A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Brighton for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy July 2015 PhD: The Experience of Breech Birth ABSTRACT Breech birth has become a rare phenomenon in England over the last two decades. 3-4% of all babies present bottom or feet first at full term (37-42 weeks gestation) and despite conflicting research about the safest mode of delivery for breech presentation, the vast majority of breech babies will be delivered by planned caesarean section. The small number of qualitative research studies suggest that the experience of breech has complex meanings for childbearing women. This research intended to explore these elements further and to better understand this experience within a social, cultural and gendered context. A social constructionist theoretical framework with a feminist post-structural position guided the research design. A research case study methodological approach was adopted drawing from different sources to understand the case of vaginal breech birth experience. Participants from the South of England included eleven women who had given birth to breech babies, either at hospital and home, six midwives and two obstetricians who had provided care for women giving birth to breech babies. Thematic content analysis was used during and following the collection of data, which comprised of in-depth interviews as the primary source of data and documentary analysis as secondary contextual data. Vaginal breech birth is a challenging journey, best understood as three interconnected spaces shaped by the complex social relationships and cultural and gendered context of childbirth. Four themes emerged: Losing the way; Fighting fear and seeking trust; Deciding the right path to follow; and Towards a place of safety. These themes define the experience as one of moving between significant phases of Disrupted space, Uneasy space and Third space. The findings indicate that the prevailing risk paradigm has marginalised breech, disrupting the childbirth journey and creating a deep sense of loss. Vaginal breech birth eludes the narrow polarities of medicalised childbirth and natural birthing, fitting into neither and troubling both. The navigation of these messages is central to the uneasy space, which is a time of pause and consideration with a strong desire to hear different voices to that of a dominant medical view. This provides an opportunity for a less bounded form of birth where individuals seek to prioritise safety in the creation or holding of safe spaces, albeit temporarily and with some compromises. In working to address these challenges, care providers should consider broadening the options available to all women, working together as a team to create safe spaces for the multiple birthing options that women require. 2 PhD: The Experience of Breech Birth 3 PhD: The Experience of Breech Birth CONTENTS ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................... 2 TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................... 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................... 10 DECLARATION .................................................................................................................. 11 INTRODUCTION TO THE THESIS ..................................................................................... 12 CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................. 15 1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 15 1.1 UK Healthcare and Contemporary childbirth ................................................................... 16 1.2 Breech Birth .......................................................................................................................... 26 1.2.1 Breech birth care, management and skills ................................................................... 37 1.2.2 The experience of breech birth ...................................................................................... 40 1.2.3 Researcher’s perspective ................................................................................................ 44 1.2.4 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 46 CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ...................................................................... 48 2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 48 2.1 Philosophical position ............................................................................................................. 49 2.2 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................................... 50 2.3 Feminist research .................................................................................................................... 54 2.4 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 60 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................... 61 3.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 61 3.1 Research design ...................................................................................................................... 62 3.2 Research questions ................................................................................................................. 64 3.3 Introduction to the research methodology approach .......................................................... 66 3.3.1 Feminist research and methodological approach ....................................................... 67 3.3.2 Research Case Study ...................................................................................................... 69 3.3.3 Considerations with using research case study .......................................................... 76 3.3.4 Consideration of alternative research methodologies ................................................ 78 3.4 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 81 CHAPTER 4: METHODS .................................................................................................... 82 4 PhD: The Experience of Breech Birth 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 82 4.2 Data collection .......................................................................................................................... 82 4.2.1 Feminist approach to data collection ............................................................................. 82 4.2.2 Site and Populations Selection ...................................................................................... 83 4.2.3 Data Gathering Methods ................................................................................................. 87 4.2.4 Recruitment and consent ................................................................................................ 88 4.2.5 Interviews ........................................................................................................................... 92 4.2.6 Documents and documentary analysis ......................................................................... 95 4.3 Data analysis ....................................................................................................................... 97 4.3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 97 4.3.2 Thematic content analysis ............................................................................................... 97 4.3.3 Coding ................................................................................................................................ 99 4.3.4 Themes and development of findings chapter ........................................................... 102 4.3.5 Reflecting and reflexivity ............................................................................................... 103 4.4 Ethical considerations ........................................................................................................... 105 4.5 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 109 CHAPTER 5: RESULTS OF THE ANALYSIS OF THE DATA ........................................... 110 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 110 5.2 Losing the Way ...................................................................................................................... 113 5.3 Fighting fear and seeking trust ...........................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Doula Agreement
    *9004355* Affix Patient Label Doula Agreement Mother’s Name:___________________________________ Doula’s Name:___________________________ Mother’s Date of Birth:_____________________________ Doula’s Contact Information:________________ Physician/Midwife: ______________________________________________________________________________ Bronson Methodist Hospital (BMH) wants to have a good working relationship with doulas. This document helps outline the role of doulas while they are working here. A signed copy of this agreement must be given to the hospital. According to the guidelines from the Doula Organization of North America International (DONA): • The doula’s role is to provide physical and emotional support to a mother and her partner during labor and birth. Her goal is to help a woman have a safe and satisfying childbirth experience as the woman defines it. • The doula offers comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning. She may use or suggest measures such as massage, visualization, water therapy and use of a birth ball. • Doulas specialize in non-medical skills and do not perform clinical tasks. They do not diagnose medical conditions, or give medical advice. They do not make decisions for the mother. The Healthcare provider is responsible to: o Focus on the safe delivery of the baby o Assess and diagnose medical conditions and offer medical options. o Inform and educate a woman about the care she is receiving. o If the mother requires birth by cesarean section, and is to receive a regional anesthetic (spinal or epidural), her certified labor doula may accompany her in surgery after placement of the spinal or epidural. She is to stay at the head of the bed, to coach and calm as needed.
    [Show full text]
  • Ivf Long Protocol Calculator
    Ivf Long Protocol Calculator Unchronicled Shep sometimes cachinnates his shaddocks inculpably and fallings so monopodially! Salique Hector rhapsodizes that daydream mythicizing pettily and perfuse perpendicularly. Impatient Parry references, his jams reheel upgather jabberingly. Can be to start making the quality assured by merck serono have diminished ovarian reserve or purchase new protocols long ivf protocol calculator predict the nhs This IVF Calculator Helps Couples Predict Their Chances of Having some Baby WALTER ZERLAGetty ImagesCultura RF. Some photos on your way in follicle growth by your referral is an ivf treatment of those who undergo several afc was adjusted akaike information. For IVF reduces the risk of OHSS despite a higher starting dose of stimulation. Donald School Textbook of Human Reproductive & Gynecological. IVF treatment does prudent use without your cane of eggs any quicker and the. The record live births from in vitro fertilization IVF were achieved from. For thinking women the pumpkin of finger a baby on high first IVF attempt was. The IVF model presented here render the access to calculate the chances of great ongoing pregnancy with IVF. It was 17 on 20DPO online calculator says the numbers doubled every 37 hours. Both commercial FSH preparations can be diluted into 20 mL of saline solution and clasp over 45 days A typical 4-day FSH treatment protocol is as follows day. Treatment Options Intrauterine Insemination IUI In Vitro Fertilization IVF Health Screening Before Fertility Treatment Ovarian Stimulation Injectable Fertility. IVF Due Date Calculator In Vitro Fertilization Omni Calculator. Follicular or luteal start in GnRH-a long protocol used in.
    [Show full text]
  • Management of Breech Presentation
    Management of Breech Presentation Green-top Guideline No. 20b March 2017 Please cite this paper as: Impey LWM, Murphy DJ, Griffiths M, Penna LK on behalf of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Management of Breech Presentation. BJOG 2017; DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.14465. DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.14465 Management of Breech Presentation This is the fourth edition of this guideline originally published in 1999 and revised in 2001 and 2006 under the same title. Executive summary of recommendations What information should be given to women with breech presentation at term? Women with a breech presentation at term should be offered external cephalic version (ECV) A unless there is an absolute contraindication. They should be advised on the risks and benefits of ECV and the implications for mode of delivery. [New 2017] Women who have a breech presentation at term following an unsuccessful or declined offer of ECV should be counselled on the risks and benefits of planned vaginal breech delivery versus planned caesarean section. What information about the baby should be given to women with breech presentation at term regarding mode of delivery? Women should be informed that planned caesarean section leads to a small reduction in A perinatal mortality compared with planned vaginal breech delivery. Any decision to perform a caesarean section needs to be balanced against the potential adverse consequences that may result from this. Women should be informed that the reduced risk is due to three factors: the avoidance of B stillbirth after 39 weeks of gestation, the avoidance of intrapartum risks and the risks of vaginal breech birth, and that only the last is unique to a breech baby.
    [Show full text]
  • Infertility: an Overview
    AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE Infertility: An Overview A Guide for Patients PATIENT INFORMATION SERIES Published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine under the direction of the Patient Education Committee and the Publications Committee. No portion herein may be reproduced in any form without written permission. This booklet is in no way intended to replace, dictate, or fully define evaluation and treatment by a qualified physician. It is intended solely as an aid for patients seeking general information on issues in reproductive medicine. Copyright © 2017 by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE Infertility: An Overview A Guide for Patients, Revised 2017 A glossary of italicized words is located at the end of this booklet. INTRODUCTION Infertility is typically defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse. If you have been trying to conceive for a year or more, you should consider an infertility evaluation. However, if you are 35 years or older, you should consider beginning the infertility evaluation after about six months of unprotected intercourse rather than a year, so as not to delay potentially needed treatment. If you have a reason to suspect an underlying problem, you should seek care earlier. For instance, if you have very irregular menstrual cycles (suggesting that you are not ovulating or releasing an egg), or if you or your partner has a known fertility problem, you probably should not wait an entire year before seeking treatment. If you and your partner have been unable to have a baby, you’re not alone.
    [Show full text]
  • Postpartum Care for the Mother and Newborn
    ABSTRACT This document reports the outcomes of a technical consultation on the full range of issues relevant to the postpartum period for the mother and the newborn. The report takes a comprehensive view of maternal and newborn needs at a time which is decisive for the life and health both of the mother and her newborn. Taking women’s own perceptions of their own needs during this period as its point of departure, the text examines the major maternal and neonatal health challenges, nutrition and breastfeeding, birth spacing, immunization and HIV/AIDS before concluding with a discussion of the crucial elements of care and service provision in the postpartum. The text ends with a series of recommendations for this critical but under-researched and under-served period of the life of the woman and her newborn, together with a classification of common practices in the postpartum into four categories: those which are useful, those which are harmful, those for which insufficient evidence exists and those which are frequently used inappropriately. WHO/RHT/MSM/98.3 Dist.: General Orig.: English CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................1 1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................6 1.1 Preamble ............................................................................................................6 1.2 Background........................................................................................................7
    [Show full text]
  • First Steps Nutrition Modules Module 5 – Nutrition and the Postpartum Period
    First Steps Nutrition Modules Module 5 – Nutrition and the Postpartum Period Introduction The postpartum period is a critical one. Worldwide, most maternal deaths occur during the postpartum period. From a nutrition perspective, this period is critical to the health (and nutritional status) of the mother and infant, and to setting the stage for a healthy feeding relationship. The World Health Organization (WHO) has published guidelines for postpartum care. (WHO, 1998) Many of the guidelines have implications for the nutrition professional, including guidelines for maternal nutrition, including supplementation, general diet, and prevention of micronutrient deficiencies. Guidelines for breastfeeding and infant nutrition are also published, and are covered in Module 7, Breastfeeding Assessment and Support and in Module 6, Nutrition and the Young Infant. Postpartum care should be a collaboration between parents, families, caregivers, health professionals. Essential components of care include promotion of breastfeeding, contraceptive and nutritional advice. (WHO, 1998) In addition to the benefits for the mother, child and family, nutrition intervention between pregnancies may improve the outcome of a subsequent pregnancy. (IOM, 1992) Estimated time to complete this module: 60 minutes. Learning Objectives Participants will be able to: • Describe basic nutrient needs during the normal postpartum period • Identify risk factors during the postpartum period and describe the potential complications and nutritional implications associated with each
    [Show full text]
  • Open Access Intrapartum CTG Database Václav Chudácekˇ 1*,Jiˇrí Spilka1,Miroslavburša1,Petrjank˚U2, Lukáš Hruban2, Michal Huptych1 and Lenka Lhotská1
    Chudácekˇ et al. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2014, 14:16 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/14/16 DATABASE Open Access Open access intrapartum CTG database Václav Chudácekˇ 1*,Jiˇrí Spilka1,MiroslavBurša1,PetrJank˚u2, Lukáš Hruban2, Michal Huptych1 and Lenka Lhotská1 Abstract Background: Cardiotocography (CTG) is a monitoring of fetal heart rate and uterine contractions. Since 1960 it is routinely used by obstetricians to assess fetal well-being. Many attempts to introduce methods of automatic signal processing and evaluation have appeared during the last 20 years, however still no significant progress similar to that in the domain of adult heart rate variability, where open access databases are available (e.g. MIT-BIH), is visible. Based on a thorough review of the relevant publications, presented in this paper, the shortcomings of the current state are obvious. A lack of common ground for clinicians and technicians in the field hinders clinically usable progress. Our open access database of digital intrapartum cardiotocographic recordings aims to change that. Description: The intrapartum CTG database consists in total of 552 intrapartum recordings, which were acquired between April 2010 and August 2012 at the obstetrics ward of the University Hospital in Brno, Czech Republic. All recordings were stored in electronic form in the OB TraceVue®system. The recordings were selected from 9164 intrapartum recordings with clinical as well as technical considerations in mind. All recordings are at most 90 minutes long and start a maximum of 90 minutes before delivery. The time relation of CTG to delivery is known as well as the length of the second stage of labor which does not exceed 30 minutes.
    [Show full text]
  • Virtual Doula Toolkit"), Is for Your General Educational Information Only
    V I R T U A L D O U L A T O O L K I T March 2020 COVID-19 Response S U P P O R T I N G F A M I L I E S I N A V I R T U A L A G E V I R T U A L D O U L A T O O L K I T P A G E 0 2 P U R P O S E This kit is meant to provide doulas with the tools needed to provide virtual doula services to clients. Given that the current public health recommendations suggest that we practice social distancing, and that hospitals are limiting the number of individuals who may be present at birth during this pandemic, virtual doula services are a way to provide support and guidance to families without jeopardizing health and safety. In these uncertain times, families still need support, guidance and access to information and techniques that will reduce stress and lead to healthy birth and postpartum outcomes. This toolkit was created for doulas serving families in Georgia, though many of these resources can be used by doulas across the country. In This Toolkit 1. Available Platforms For Remote Communication 2. Questions to Ask Your Clients 3. Additional Resources for Your Clients 4. Sample Contract Offerings for Virtual Doulas Current Guidelines Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) You may access current guidelines on working safely and supporting families while maintaining good health here: DONA International Statement on COVID-19 & Doulas DONA's Doula Toolkit on COVID-19 Response CDC Guidance on COVID-19 ACOG Guidelines on COVID-19 AAP Guidelines on COVID-19 Above all else, take care of yourself.
    [Show full text]
  • ADVANCING BIRTH JUSTICE: Community-Based Doula Models As a Standard of Care for Ending Racial Disparities
    ADVANCING BIRTH JUSTICE: Community-Based Doula Models as a Standard of Care for Ending Racial Disparities ANCIENT SONG DOULA SERVICES VILLAGE BIRTH INTERNATIONAL EVERY MOTHER COUNTS Asteir Bey Aimee Brill Chanel Porchia-Albert Melissa Gradilla Nan Strauss March 25, 2019 Ancient Song Doula Services is a social profit organization working towards addressing racial disparities and inequities within the healthcare system. We do this by providing full spectrum doula services, training & certification, conferences and educational forums to address the maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, implicit bias, and racism within healthcare systems. Village Birth International (VBI) is a community-based organization dedicated to improving outcomes in maternal-child health while seeking birth and reproductive justice for families facing inequities in the childbearing year. We are committed to universal health equity for all families by eliminating the impact of racism and systemic oppression on perinatal outcomes. Our work is currently based in Syracuse, NY, New Jersey, and Northern Uganda. Every Mother Counts is a non-profit organization working to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, everywhere. We work to achieve quality, respectful, and equitable maternity care for all by giving grants and working with partners and thought leaders to increase awareness and mobilize communities to take action. ADVANCING BIRTH JUSTICE: Community-Based Doula Models as a Standard of Care for Ending Racial Disparities Executive Summary In 2018, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a comprehensive initiative to address poor maternal and infant health outcomes and disparities, which included the development of a Medicaid pilot program to cover doula services.
    [Show full text]
  • The Management of Breech Presentation
    Clinical Practice Guideline The Management of Breech Presentation NATIONAL CLINICAL GUIDELINE The Management of Breech Presentation Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division, Health Service Executive Version 1.0 Publication date: January 2017 Guideline no: 38 Revision date: January 2020 Clinical Practice Guideline The Management of Breech Presentation Contents 1. Revision History ........................................................................................................ 3 2. Key Recommendations ........................................................................................... 3 3. Purpose and Scope .................................................................................................. 5 4. Background and Introduction .............................................................................. 6 5. Methodology ............................................................................................................... 7 6. Discussion with the woman about the options for a vaginal presentation at term. ............................................................................................. 7 7. Preterm Breech ....................................................................................................... 12 8. Delivery of a breech presenting second twin .............................................. 13 9. Prevention of breech presentation .................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Intrapartum Fetal Surveillance Clinical Guideline to Be Published by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)
    Intrapartum Fetal Surveillance Clinical Guideline – Fourth Edition 2019 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2 Clinical Guideline - Fourth Edition 2019 Disclaimer This information is intended to provide general advice to practitioners, and should not be relied on as a substitute for proper assessment with respect to the particular circumstances of each case and the needs of any patient. This information has been prepared having regard to general circumstances. It is the responsibility of each practitioner to have regard to the particular circumstances of each case. Clinical management should be responsive to the needs of the individual patient and the particular circumstances of each case. This information has been prepared having regard to the information available at the time of its preparation, and each practitioner should have regard to relevant information, research or material which may have been published or become available subsequently. Whilst the College endeavours to ensure that information is accurate and current at the time of preparation, it takes no responsibility for matters arising from changed circumstances or information or material that may have become subsequently available. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists www.ranzcog.edu.au © The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) 2019. All rights reserved. This material may be freely reproduced for educational and not for profit purposes.
    [Show full text]
  • The State of Doula Care in Nyc 2020
    New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene THE STATE OF DOULA CARE IN NYC 2020 Report Team Gabriela Ammann Kizzi Belfon Regina Conceiçaõ Sharon Marshall-Taylor Mary-Powel Thomas Acknowledgements Evelyn Alvarez Black Youth Project 100 Helena Grant Nicole Jean-Baptiste Debra Lesane Cynthia Lynch Mimi Niles Chanel Porchia-Albert Gracie-Ann Roberts-Harris Nan Strauss Denise West 2 CONTENTS PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................... 4 WHY DOULAS? ........................................................................................................................... 5 CHALLENGES FACING THE NYC DOULA COMMUNITY ......................................................... 7 NYS Medicaid Pilot ................................................................................................................... 7 Importance of doula autonomy in hospital setting ................................................................... 8 New York State Bills A364B and S3344-B ............................................................................... 9 INEQUITIES IN BIRTH OUTCOMES ........................................................................................ 10 PLAN FOR IMPROVING ACCESS TO DOULA CARE IN NYC ................................................ 11 1. Increase access to doulas in underserved communities .................................................... 11 2. Build doula capacity and create doula-friendly hospitals ...................................................
    [Show full text]