Exploring mothers' perspectives on the early mother-infant relationship to inform midwifery practice : A qualitative study

Journal article

Stoodley, Cathy, McKellar, Lois, Fereday, Jennifer, Ziaian, Tahereh, Steen, Mary and Gwilt, Ian. (2025). Exploring mothers' perspectives on the early mother-infant relationship to inform midwifery practice : A qualitative study. Midwifery. 140, p. Article 104200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2024.104200
AuthorsStoodley, Cathy, McKellar, Lois, Fereday, Jennifer, Ziaian, Tahereh, Steen, Mary and Gwilt, Ian
Abstract

Background
The mother-infant relationship plays a crucial role in individual and community health. The nature of the mother-infant relationship can influence the social and emotional development of the infant, impacting their lifelong health. Midwives are key in providing health promotion for women and babies and are ideally placed to support women during the early development of the mother-infant relationship.

Aims
This study aimed to explore new mothers' perspectives on developing the early mother-infant relationship to inform midwifery practice.

Methods
This study is phase one of a mixed-method, exploratory sequential design project. In this phase, 14 women were interviewed within six weeks of birth to explore experiences that influenced the developing relationship with their baby. To support reflection women were provided with a visual prompt activity. These interviews informed the co-design workshops to develop an intervention to support midwives to promote the early mother infant relationship. A research protocol was published prior to undertaking the study, however as this research did not seek to modify or measure any heath related outcomes it was not registered as a clinical trial.

Results
Key themes from the interviews included: making moments that matter; the role of the village; feeling like I'm winning; supportive health professionals, and forming a new family. These themes underpinned strategies to support the mother-infant relationship.

Conclusion
The findings from this study offer ways for midwives to support the emerging mother-infant relationship during the early postnatal period. Facilitating mothers to engage with their baby as well as integrating key people is important. Midwives also play a key role in building maternal confidence and competence. Further research is needed to embed and evaluate strategies in midwifery practice.

Keywordsmother-infant; mother-child relations; object attachment; midwifery practice; mixed method
Year2025
JournalMidwifery
Journal citation140, p. Article 104200
PublisherElsevier Ltd
ISSN0266-6138
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2024.104200
PubMed ID39461160
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85205335748
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
Page range1-9
FunderWomen’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online25 Oct 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted27 Sep 2024
Deposited07 May 2025
Additional information

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/91vvw/exploring-mothers-perspectives-on-the-early-mother-infant-relationship-to-inform-midwifery-practice-a-qualitative-study

Log in to edit

Download files

Publisher's version
OA_Stoodley_2025_Exploring_mothers_perspectives_on_the_early.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Open

  • 6
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 6
    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

Evaluation of a pilot online education program to develop midwives’ knowledge, skill and confidence in perinatal mental health in rural South Australia
McKellar, Lois, Martinez, Lee, De Sousa Machado, Tiffany, Eden, Amye, Stoodley, Cathy and Adelson, Pamela. (2024). Evaluation of a pilot online education program to develop midwives’ knowledge, skill and confidence in perinatal mental health in rural South Australia. Women and Birth. 37(2), pp. 355-361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2023.11.005
The barometer of moral distress in midwifery : A pilot study
Foster, Wendy, McKellar, Lois, Fleet, Julie-Anne, Creedy, Debra and Sweet, Linda. (2024). The barometer of moral distress in midwifery : A pilot study. Women and Birth. 37(3), p. Article 101592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101592
‘There is no other option’ : Exploring health care providers' experiences implementing regional multisite midwifery model of care in South Australia
McKellar, Lois, Fleet, Julie-Anne and Adelson, Pamela. (2024). ‘There is no other option’ : Exploring health care providers' experiences implementing regional multisite midwifery model of care in South Australia. Australian Journal of Rural Health. 32(1), pp. 67-79. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajr.13066
#Parentlife : A feasibilty study to explore a novel early parenting programme
McKellar, Lois, Eden, Amye, De Sousa Machado, Tiffany, Adelson, Pam, Stoodley, Cathy and Steen, Mary. (2023). #Parentlife : A feasibilty study to explore a novel early parenting programme. MIDIRS Midwifery Digest. 33(2), pp. 177-182.
The role of midwives in supporting the development of the mother-infant relationship : a scoping review
Stoodley, Cathy, McKellar, Lois, Ziaian, Tahereh, Steen, Mary, Fereday, Jennifer and Gwilt, Ian. (2023). The role of midwives in supporting the development of the mother-infant relationship : a scoping review. BMC Psychology. 11(1), pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01092-8
Evaluation of a regional midwifery caseload model of care integrated across five birthing sites in South Australia : Women's experiences and birth outcomes
Adelson, Pamela, Fleet, Julie-Anne and McKellar, Lois. (2023). Evaluation of a regional midwifery caseload model of care integrated across five birthing sites in South Australia : Women's experiences and birth outcomes. Women and Birth. 36(1), pp. 80-88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.03.004
Examining the transformation of midwifery education in Australia to inform future directions : An integrative review
McKellar, Lois, Graham, Ms Kristen, Sheehan, Athena, Fleet, Julie-Anne, Sidebotham, Mary and Sweet, Linda. (2023). Examining the transformation of midwifery education in Australia to inform future directions : An integrative review. Women and Birth. 36(2), pp. 155-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.11.010
Yourtime : The development and pilot of a perinatal mental wellbeing digital tool using a co-design approach
McKellar, Lois, Steen, Mary, Charlick, Samantha J., Andrew, Jane, Altieri, Benjamin and Gwilt, Ian. (2023). Yourtime : The development and pilot of a perinatal mental wellbeing digital tool using a co-design approach. Applied Nursing Research. 73, pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2023.151714
Examining the Influence of Self-compassion Education and Training Upon Parents and Families When Caring for their Children : A Systematic Review
Othman, Shwikar, Steen, Mary, Wepa, Dianne and McKellar, Lois. (2022). Examining the Influence of Self-compassion Education and Training Upon Parents and Families When Caring for their Children : A Systematic Review. Open Psychology Journal. 15(1), pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.2174/18743501-V15-E221020-2022-39
Moral distress in midwifery practice : A concept analysis
Foster, Wendy, McKellar, Lois, Fleet, Julie-Anne and Sweet, Linda. (2022). Moral distress in midwifery practice : A concept analysis. Nursing Ethics. 29(2), pp. 364-383. https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330211023983
Development and validation of an online survey to assess perception of diabetes risk and barriers and facilitators to weight loss following gestational diabetes
Gray, Kristy L., Grebenshchikova, Mayya, O’reilly, Sharleen L., McKellar, Lois, Clifton, Peter and Keogh, Jennifer. (2021). Development and validation of an online survey to assess perception of diabetes risk and barriers and facilitators to weight loss following gestational diabetes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18(2), pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020480
Moving beyond first year : An exploration of staff and student experience
Birbeck, David, McKellar, Lois and Kenyon, Kat. (2021). Moving beyond first year : An exploration of staff and student experience. Student Success. 12(1), pp. 82-92. https://doi.org/10.5204/ssj.1802
Identifying the priorities for midwifery education across Australia and New Zealand : A Delphi study
Sidebotham, Mary, McKellar, Lois, Walters, Caroline, Gilkison, Andrea, Davis, Deborah and Gamble, Jenny. (2021). Identifying the priorities for midwifery education across Australia and New Zealand : A Delphi study. Women and Birth. 34(2), pp. 136-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.05.011
Midwifery-led care in South Australia : Looking back to move forward
McKellar, Lois, Newnham, Elizabeth, Fleet, Julie-Anne and Adelson, Pamela. (2021). Midwifery-led care in South Australia : Looking back to move forward. Women and Birth. 34(5), pp. 537-545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.10.011
Two decades of Birth Centre and midwifery-led care in South Australia, 1998–2016
Adelson, Pamela, Fleet, Julie-Anne, McKellar, Lois and Eckert, Marion. (2021). Two decades of Birth Centre and midwifery-led care in South Australia, 1998–2016. Women and Birth. 34(1), pp. 84-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.05.005
Humanisation of childbirth : 7. The role of critical pedagogy in midwifery education
Bass, Janice, McKellar, Lois and Newnham, Elizabeth. (2020). Humanisation of childbirth : 7. The role of critical pedagogy in midwifery education. Practising Midwife. 23(3), pp. 13-16.
Simulation in midwifery education : A descriptive explorative study exploring students’ knowledge, confidence and skills in the care of the preterm neonate
Stoodley, Cathy, McKellar, Lois, Steen, Mary and Fleet, Julie-Anne. (2020). Simulation in midwifery education : A descriptive explorative study exploring students’ knowledge, confidence and skills in the care of the preterm neonate. Nurse Education in Practice. 42, pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2019.102635
Shared decision aids in pregnancy care : A scoping review
Kennedy, K., Adelson, Pamela, Fleet, Julie-Anne, Steen, Mary, McKellar, Lois, Eckert, Marion and Peters, Micah D J. (2020). Shared decision aids in pregnancy care : A scoping review. Midwifery. 81, pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2019.102589
Women’s barriers to weight loss, perception of future diabetes risk and opinions of diet strategies following gestational diabetes: An online survey
Gray, Kristy L., McKellar, Lois, O’reilly, Sharleen L., Clifton, Peter and Keogh, Jennifer. (2020). Women’s barriers to weight loss, perception of future diabetes risk and opinions of diet strategies following gestational diabetes: An online survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17(24), pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249180
Understanding resilience in the context of midwifery : A concept analysis
Clohessy, Nicole, McKellar, Lois and Fleet, Julie. (2019). Understanding resilience in the context of midwifery : A concept analysis. Evidence Based Midwifery. 17(1), pp. 10-18.
A public e-survey to explore community understanding of the role of the midwife in Australia
McKellar, Lois, Brown, Angela and Adelson, Pamela. (2019). A public e-survey to explore community understanding of the role of the midwife in Australia. European Journal of Midwifery. 3(November), pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/114226
Validation of the Australian Midwifery Standards Assessment Tool (AMSAT) : A tool to assess midwifery competence
Sweet, Linda, Bazargan, Maryam, McKellar, Lois, Gray, Joanne and Henderson, Amanda. (2018). Validation of the Australian Midwifery Standards Assessment Tool (AMSAT) : A tool to assess midwifery competence. Women and Birth. 31(1), pp. 59-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.06.017
It's more than just luck : A qualitative exploration of breastfeeding in rural Australia
McKellar, Lois, Fleet, Julie and Dove, Shona. (2018). It's more than just luck : A qualitative exploration of breastfeeding in rural Australia. Women and Birth. 31(3), pp. 177-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.09.005
Exploring routine hospital antenatal care consultations : An ethnographic study
Wright, Diane, Pincombe, Jan and McKellar, Lois. (2018). Exploring routine hospital antenatal care consultations : An ethnographic study. Women and Birth. 31(3), pp. 162-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.09.010