Easy to Believe in, But Difficult to Carry Out-Norwegian Midwives' Experiences of Promoting Normal Birth in an Obstetric-Led Maternity Unit

PURPOSE: To explore and describe midwives' experiences of promoting normal birth in medicalized obstetric-led birth units in Norway. STUDY DESIGN: A qualitative research design with an explorative/descriptive approach. A convenience sample of 10 midwives was recruited from 2 obstetric-led birth units. MAJOR FINDINGS: Three main themes were identified. First, personal attributes and attitudes were perceived to influence the birthing process. Second, lack of time and impatient staff negatively affected the woman's chances of giving birth normally. Third, increasing focus on procedures, selection criteria, and technology threatened the use of midwifery skills and prevented midwives from promoting normal births. MAIN CONCLUSION: Promoting normal birth is influenced by midwives' disposition and attitudes. It is therefore disturbing that midwives experience a loss of their autonomy and responsibility for normal births in obstetric-led wards.