Midwives' navigation and perceived power during decision-making related to augmentation of labour.

OBJECTIVE

to explore and understand how midwives perceive and experience decision-making about augmentation of labour.

DESIGN

focus-group discussions.

SETTING

Stockholm, Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

20 midwives experienced in working in labour wards.

FINDINGS

five categories were identified that illustrate the factors considered by the midwives to influence decision-making during augmentation of labour: 'regulations and guidelines'; 'shortage of delivery rooms'; 'influence of obstetricians'; 'women in labour'; and 'midwives' professional selves'. The theme identified was how midwives managed to 'navigate' these factors, which provided midwives with a decisive influence during the decision-making process.

KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

midwife job satisfaction can result from a sense of professional power over the possibility of navigating factors that influence decision-making during augmentation of labour. This sense of power can subsequently influence co-operation with both obstetricians and women during labour.