The midwifery capabilities theory : How midwives enact woman-centered care to address systemic inequity

Journal article


Naughton, Simone, Baldwin, Adele, Harvey, Clare and Capper, Tanya. (2024). The midwifery capabilities theory : How midwives enact woman-centered care to address systemic inequity. Birth. pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12866
AuthorsNaughton, Simone, Baldwin, Adele, Harvey, Clare and Capper, Tanya
Abstract

Background
Healthcare for childbearing women with complex needs demands a multi-disciplinary approach requiring transitions between care providers, paradigms, and models of care. These transitions may create disconnects between women and the maternity care “system.” Poorly managed care transitions can lead to women becoming hostage to the power struggles between healthcare organizations and the professionals working within them, further increasing the risk of poor outcomes. This paper presents the findings of a study that aimed to better understand how midwives provide woman-centered care for women with complex needs in the real world of maternity services.

Methods
A constructivist grounded theory approach, using Clarke's situational analysis to extend critical and feminist perspectives in data analysis. Qualitative data were obtained from two sources: publicly available data, and individual interviews with providers of care (midwives) and recipients of care (women with complex pregnancies).

Results
Woman-centered care is defined as care in which the woman is seen, heard, and known. “The midwifery capabilities theory” describes the process whereby midwives create opportunities to develop women's capabilities. Capabilities are enabled through the midwifery relationship creating space, moments in time, and equalizing power and positionality.

Conclusions
Aligning with contemporary theories surrounding the provision of midwifery care, the midwifery capabilities theory recognizes the individual health and social status of women and the rights to self-determination. This centers care around each individual's needs, which, in addition to improving health and well-being outcomes, contributes to improved self-confidence, enhancing engagement through authentic professional relationships.

Keywordscomplex; high risk; maternity care; midwifery; models of care; respectful; trauma informed; woman centered
Year2024
JournalBirth
Journal citationpp. 1-10
PublisherWiley Periodicals LLC
ISSN0730-7659
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12866
PubMed ID39297756
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85204471896
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Page range1-10
FunderResearch Training Program Scholarship (RTP), Australian Government
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusIn press
Publication dates
Online19 Sep 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted05 Aug 2024
Deposited01 Apr 2025
Additional information

© 2024 The Author(s). Birth published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.

Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/9187q/the-midwifery-capabilities-theory-how-midwives-enact-woman-centered-care-to-address-systemic-inequity

Download files


Publisher's version
OA_Naughton_2024_The_midwifery_capabilities_theory_How_midwives.pdf
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
File access level: Open

  • 2
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

Financial hardship and Australian midwifery students : A scoping review and thematic analysis
Moran, Lynnelle, Capper, Tanya, Gupta, Meenakshi, Meedya, Shahla and Mendez, Sarah. (2024). Financial hardship and Australian midwifery students : A scoping review and thematic analysis. Women and Birth. 37(5), pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101640
Optimising mother–baby outcomes of pregnancy and childbirth in prison requires both individual and systems review [Commentary]
Baldwin, Adele and Capper, Tanya. (2023). Optimising mother–baby outcomes of pregnancy and childbirth in prison requires both individual and systems review [Commentary]. Evidence-Based Nursing. 26(1), pp. 39-39. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2022-103561
The impact of social media influencers on pregnancy, birth, and early parenting experiences : A systematic review
Chee, Rachelle M., Capper, Tanya S. and Muurlink, Olav T.. (2023). The impact of social media influencers on pregnancy, birth, and early parenting experiences : A systematic review. Midwifery. 120, p. Article 103623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2023.103623
Midwifery care and social media [Commentary]
Chee, Rachelle, Capper, Tanya and Muurlink, Olav. (2023). Midwifery care and social media [Commentary]. British Journal of Midwifery. 31(2), pp. 112-115. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2023.31.2.112
How is cultural safety understood and translated into midwifery practice? A scoping review and thematic analysis
Capper, Tanya S., Williamson, Moira and Chee, Rachelle. (2023). How is cultural safety understood and translated into midwifery practice? A scoping review and thematic analysis. Nurse Education in Practice. 66, p. Article 103507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2022.103507
Individual and environmental factors that influence longevity of newcomers to nursing and midwifery : A scoping review
Brown, Janie Alison, Capper, Tanya, Hegney, Desley, Donovan, Helen, Williamson, Moira, Calleja, Pauline, Solomans, Terena and Wilson, Sally. (2023). Individual and environmental factors that influence longevity of newcomers to nursing and midwifery : A scoping review. JBI Evidence Synthesis. 22(5), pp. 753-789. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-22-00367
How do new midwives’ early workforce experiences influence their career plans? An integrative review of the literature
Capper, Tanya S., Haynes, Kelly and Williamson, Moira. (2023). How do new midwives’ early workforce experiences influence their career plans? An integrative review of the literature. Nurse Education in Practice. 70, p. Article 103689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103689
Social media influencers' impact during pregnancy and parenting : A qualitative descriptive study
Chee, Rachelle M., Capper, Tanya S. and Muurlink, Olav T.. (2023). Social media influencers' impact during pregnancy and parenting : A qualitative descriptive study. Research in Nursing and Health. 47(1), pp. 7-16. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.22350
A qualitative descriptive inquiry into factors influencing early weaning and breastfeeding duration among first-time mothers in Papua New Guinea’s rural eastern highlands
Maviso, McKenzie Ken, Ferguson, Bridget, Kaforau, Lillian Maye and Capper, Tanya. (2022). A qualitative descriptive inquiry into factors influencing early weaning and breastfeeding duration among first-time mothers in Papua New Guinea’s rural eastern highlands. Women and Birth. 35(1), pp. e68-e74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2021.01.006
Promoting nurses’ and midwives’ ethical responsibilities towards vulnerable people : An alignment of research and clinical practice
Baldwin, Adele, Capper, Tanya, Harvey, Clare, Willis, Eileen, Ferguson, Bridget and Browning, Natalie. (2022). Promoting nurses’ and midwives’ ethical responsibilities towards vulnerable people : An alignment of research and clinical practice. Journal of Nursing Management. 30(7), pp. 2442-2447. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13764
Workplace violence in the Australian and New Zealand midwifery workforce : A scoping review
Capper, Tanya S., Thorn, Megan and Muurlink, Olav T.. (2022). Workplace violence in the Australian and New Zealand midwifery workforce : A scoping review. Journal of Nursing Management. 30(6), pp. 1831-1842. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13766
The parents are watching : Midwifery students’ perceptions of how workplace bullying impacts mothers and babies
Capper, Tanya S., Muurlink, Olav T. and Williamson, Moira J.. (2021). The parents are watching : Midwifery students’ perceptions of how workplace bullying impacts mothers and babies. Midwifery. 103, p. Article 103144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103144
Midwifery students’ perceptions of the modifiable organisational factors that foster bullying behaviours whilst on clinical placement. A qualitative descriptive study
Capper, Tanya S., Muurlink, Olav T. and Williamson, Moira J.. (2021). Midwifery students’ perceptions of the modifiable organisational factors that foster bullying behaviours whilst on clinical placement. A qualitative descriptive study. Women and Birth. 34(6), pp. e608-e615. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.12.005
Social culture and the bullying of midwifery students whilst on clinical placement : A qualitative descriptive exploration
Capper, Tanya, Muurlink, Olav and Williamson, Moira. (2021). Social culture and the bullying of midwifery students whilst on clinical placement : A qualitative descriptive exploration. Nurse Education in Practice. 52, p. Article 103045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103045
Online learning and teaching approaches used in midwifery programs : A scoping review
Downer, Terri, Gray, Michelle and Capper, Tanya. (2021). Online learning and teaching approaches used in midwifery programs : A scoping review. Nurse Education Today. 103, p. Article 104980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2021.104980
Pregnant in prison : An integrative literature review
Baldwin, Adele, Sobolewska, Agnieszka and Capper, Tanya. (2020). Pregnant in prison : An integrative literature review. Women and Birth. 33(1), pp. 41-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.12.004
Midwifery student's perceptions of completing a portfolio of evidence for initial registration : A qualitative exploratory study
Gray, Michelle, Downer, Terri and Capper, Tanya. (2020). Midwifery student's perceptions of completing a portfolio of evidence for initial registration : A qualitative exploratory study. Nurse Education in Practice. 43, p. Article 102696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2020.102696
Midwifery students’ experiences of bullying and workplace violence : A systematic review
Capper, Tanya, Muurlink, Olav and Williamson, Moira. (2020). Midwifery students’ experiences of bullying and workplace violence : A systematic review. Midwifery. 90, p. Article 102819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2020.102819
Individual and environmental factors that influence longevity of newcomers to nursing and midwifery : A scoping review protocol
Capper, Tanya, Brown, Janie, Donovan, Helen, Hegney, Desley, Williamson, Moira, Cusack, Lynette, Solomans, Terena and Wilson, Sally. (2020). Individual and environmental factors that influence longevity of newcomers to nursing and midwifery : A scoping review protocol. JBI Evidence Synthesis. 18(6), pp. 1271-1277. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-20-00003
Being bullied as a midwifery student : Does age matter?
Capper, Tanya, Muurlink, Olav and Williamson, Moira. (2020). Being bullied as a midwifery student : Does age matter? British Journal of Midwifery. 28(3), pp. 166-171. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2020.28.3.166
The Australian Birth Charter
Capper, Tanya and Baldwin, Adele. (2020). The Australian Birth Charter. Australian Midwifery News. 21(1), pp. 32-34.
Midwifery students helping incarcerated fathers : M2 Midwives for Men pilot project
Ferguson, Bridget, Baldwin, Adele and Capper, Tanya. (2020). Midwifery students helping incarcerated fathers : M2 Midwives for Men pilot project. Australian Midwifery News. 22(1), pp. 50-51.
Transitioning across professional boundaries in midwifery models of care : A literature review
Baldwin, Adele, Harvey, Clare, Willis, Eileen, Ferguson, Bridget and Capper, Tanya. (2019). Transitioning across professional boundaries in midwifery models of care : A literature review. Women and Birth. 32(3), pp. 195-203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.08.003
Australian midwifery student's perceptions of the benefits and challenges associated with completing a portfolio of evidence for initial registration : Paper based and ePortfolios
Gray, Michelle, Downer, Terri and Capper, Tanya. (2019). Australian midwifery student's perceptions of the benefits and challenges associated with completing a portfolio of evidence for initial registration : Paper based and ePortfolios. Nurse Education in Practice. 39, pp. 37-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2019.07.003
The implementation of a feedback tool for mothers that have participated in the continuity of Care journey with midwifery students at Central Queensland University
Capper, Tanya. (2019). The implementation of a feedback tool for mothers that have participated in the continuity of Care journey with midwifery students at Central Queensland University. Australian Midwifery News. 19(2), pp. 26-26.
Midwifery care of HIV positive mothers in Australia
Capper, Tanya. (2019). Midwifery care of HIV positive mothers in Australia. Australian Midwifery News. 19(3), pp. 35-36.
From the ground up : Improving pregnancy and birth experiences through the provision of extraordinary learning opportunities in Australia
Baldwin, Adele, Capper, Tanya, Rogers, Lucy and Wood, Elspeth. (2018). From the ground up : Improving pregnancy and birth experiences through the provision of extraordinary learning opportunities in Australia. Journal of Forensic Nursing. 14(2), pp. 80-87. https://doi.org/10.1097/JFN.0000000000000200
Midwifery students go to prison
Capper, Tanya. (2017). Midwifery students go to prison. Australian Midwifery News. 17(3), pp. 24-24.