OBJECTIVES When you have completed this unit you should be able to: Define and give mother friendly care during labour, delivery and the puerperium. Explain why routine shaving and enemas are no longer needed. Understand why most women can walk around, take a shower or eat and drink during labour. Give the reasons for a labour companion. List the advantages of a “natural childbirth”. Explain why an episiotomy is usually not necessary. Define the Better Births Initiative. Prevent separating mother and infant after delivery.

COPYRIGHT

All rights reserved. No part of this Perinatal Education Programme may be altered in any way, nor may copies of the complete Programme be made, without the written permission of the editorial board of the Perinatal Education Trust. To facilitate the improvement of perinatal care, however, parts of the Programme may be reproduced for teaching purposes provided due acknowledgement is given and the material is not sold for financial profit. While the advice and information in the Programme are believed to be accurate, the editorial board cannot accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may have been made.

ISBN 0 7992 2253 4

42-1 WHAT IS MOTHER FRIENDLY CARE DURING LABOUR, DELIVERY AND THE PUERPERIUM?

As with mother friendly care during pregnancy, this is a method of caring for women where the interests of the woman and her fetus or newborn infant are considered above those of the hospital or clinic staff. Mother friendly care is good care. Wherever possible, it is based on good scientific evidence. Many women find present labour practices unpleasant and, therefore, avoid delivering in a clinic or hospital. Instead, they prefer to deliver at home.

42-2 WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES OF MOTHER FRIENDLY CARE DURING LABOUR, DELIVERY AND THE PUERPERIUM?

They are the same as the principles of mother friendly care during pregnancy, i.e. managing each woman as an individual and caring for her with kindness, compassion, patience, gentleness and respect. Both the woman’s physical and emotional needs must be considered.

42-3 HOW CAN A WOMAN BE HELPED TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN HER OWN CARE?

Labour, delivery and the puerperium are an ideal opportunity to allow and encourage a woman to play an active role in her own care. She should understand what will happen and what is expected of her. It is very important to explain to the woman what is happening. It is very frightening for the woman if she does not understand what is happening to her and her baby. Fear may slow her progress of labour.

42-4 WHAT STAFF BEHAVIOUR IS NOT CONSIDERED AS MOTHER FRIENDLY?

1. Being rude, aggressive, indifferent, cheeky and insensitive to the woman’s needs, feelings and wishes.
2. Emotionally or verbally abusing women.
3. Ignoring what the woman’s says or requests.
4. Slapping, pushing or in any way physically abusing women.
5. Giving woman the “silent treatment” and not communicating with them.
6. Accusing women of presenting in labour too early or too late, or for forgetting their antenatal card at home.

Continue to next page