Kruger, Gina ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2291-7648 and Sweet, Linda (2024) Peer support for midwives to facilitate women's healthy childbearing: Building a sustainable workforce. In: Virtual International Day of the Midwife, 5 May 2024 - 5 May 2024, VIDM.org.

Abstract

• Background: Midwives have a central role in working with women to provide safe and appropriate care across pregnancy, childbirth, and the early parenting period. Midwives being supported in their practice role influences their capacity to promote healthy birthing for women. This study aimed to explore midwives’ perceptions and experiences of peer support in a hospital setting in Australia. Methods Twenty-three midwives participated in four focus group discussions, which were recorded and professionally transcribed. Thematic analysis of the grouped data identified areas to inform the development of supportive peer support strategies to enhance midwives’ practice role in the provision of woman-centered care. Results The themes identified were: communicating effectively with emphasis on the quality of intra-professional relationships; having a sense of belonging and being trusted in decision-making; being able to access individualised peer support; and, initiating support-seeking behaviours to meet the midwife’s needs. Discussion: Participants felt the need for greater peer support. This is a dynamic concept in that the timing and type of peer support required can influence midwives’ scope of practice with women in the changing, complex nature of the practice environment. • Conclusions: Study findings inform the development of informal and formal peer support systems for midwives. With the development and piloting of peer support practice strategies tailored to value and promote midwives’ fulfilling our scope of practice while achieving healthy maternity care experiences for women and their babies.

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