Midwives’ Journey Through the First Year of a Hospital-Based Midwifery Group Practice

Abstract

AIM:To explore the experiences of midwives involved in the first midwifery group practice situated at a Western Australian tertiary maternity hospital.METHODS:A descriptive phenomenology study was undertaken to extract common themes from interview transcripts using the 6-step process by Braun and Clarke. Seven midwives participated in 2 interviews over 12 months.FINDINGS:Six months into the midwifery group practice (MGP) journey, 5 themes were captured: “adapting to a new way of working,” “working out the glitches,” “work–life balance,” “opportunity to grow,” and “perceived benefits for women.” After 12 months, 2 themes emerged: “making progress into new ways of working” and “future sustainability.”CONCLUSIONS:Midwives felt women must be realistically informed of what an MGP offers. Priorities were regular meetings for open communication, taking scheduled days off and leave, and providing mentoring. Insight around benefits and challenges encountered by MGP midwives can inform health services, considering offering a similar service and ensure its sustainability.