Changing practice, changing lives : an action research project to implement skin-to-skin contact at birth and improve breastfeeding practice in a North West United Kingdom hospital maternity unit

Price, MR

Abstract

Changing Practice: Changing Lives. An action research project to
implement skin-to-skin contact at birth and improve breastfeeding
practice in a North West United Kingdom hospital maternity unit
Breastfeeding has health benefits for mothers and babies. An action research
project was undertaken to improve knowledge of breastfeeding and
implement evidence based practice, that of uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact
between mother and baby at birth. The beliefs underpinning the project were
informed by critical inquiry, dialectics and feminist theory. Data was collected
by means of field notes, participant observation, focus groups and semi-
structured interviews. Analysis during the project using critical reflection was
ongoing and collaborative, feeding back into the action research cycles, so
guiding the changes.
Before successful change in practice can occur, practitioners need to be
convinced of its value, involved in the change process and facilitated to
incorporate it into practice. Hospitals tend to reinforce the power of
professionals by their adherence to historical routines and institutionalised
practices which lead to compliance thus hindering change. The strategic use
of power by midwives was apparent, constructing people's world view, thus
reinforcing the power structure.
Empowerment of women and midwives was necessary to the success of the
project by education, support, role modelling, strategies for remembering and
the active participation of midwives. Theories of change were used to
illuminate challenging issues from the project.
Early contact between mother and baby at birth is an area generating a large
volume of literature. Skin-to-skin contact was disrupted by technology, time
limits and the social norm of separation. Interviews with women and midwives
allowed a deeper insight into the experience of skin-to-skin contact, giving
more value to the change. Further issues to emerge were the implications of
separation, the social construction of time, embodied praxis and love.
Recommendations are made for the more effective action research approach
to implementing change, and personal empowerment as the basis for
improving the experience of birth.

Citation

Price, M. Changing practice, changing lives : an action research project to implement skin-to-skin contact at birth and improve breastfeeding practice in a North West United Kingdom hospital maternity unit. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2006