Spirituality and Childbirth: An online co-operative inquiry
Authors: Crowther, S., Jenny hall, Kay, L., Baranowska,, B., Balabanoff, D., Menage, D.
Conference: !4th International Normal Labour and Birth Conferece
Dates: 17/06/2019
Abstract:Background: Any discussion on childbirth is incomplete without inclusion of spirituality. Although current evidence in this field is emerging discussion about this area is often avoided and relegated as unimportant. Denying spirituality as part of childbirth could be rendering childbirth less safe than is possible. Identifying what spirituality and childbirth is requires further exploration.
Objectives: Develop an in-depth appreciation of the experiences of spirituality and childbirth and how such experiences influence safety and normality around childbirth. Bring together multiple perspectives from different regions and professional groups. Methods: Participatory action research using co-operative inquiry. Initial face to face open exploratory focus group [N = 17] established recruitment for an ongoing inquiry (N = 9]. 5 countries and several professional groups were represented in the inquiry. Online asynchronous discussion boards ran for 4 months. Two inquirers left at this stage. Dropbox was used for reviewing outcomes of the discussion boards with two follow-up synchronous virtual meetings using xxxxxxx [N = 7]. The process of the inquiry will be presented.
Findings: Outcomes/findings of the inquiry were co-operatively agreed through an iterative process of reflections and agreed actions leading to transformation of ideas and practice. Each inquirer voice in the study had equal value. Multiple perspectival qualities were revealed using different media. Principal themes, revealed through dialogue, prose, poetry, art and stories were: Place/Space; Relationality-Embodiment and spiritual midwifing; Meaning and Sense making; Birth culture and language; Spiritual safety. These themes will be presented.
Conclusions: Spirituality and childbirth continues to be overshadowed by competing demands yet something remains potent, inspiring and energizing around childbirth. Denying the existential and spiritual significance of childbirth risks leaving childbirth bereft of acknowledged meaning. Transformation of ideas occurred through the inquiry foregrounding an urgency for changing our current birth culture to enhance safety. Implications: Physical, psychosocial-emotional and spiritual aspects of childbirth need to be concomitantly and equally considered for all involved to thrive. This tripartite focus is the foundation of childbirth. To enable safer outcomes this focus needs to be explicitly part of policy, education, practice and research for all professional groups concerned with childbirth. A virtual asynchronous Co-operative inquiry has not been attempted previously. This was a novel approach to action research that seeks consensual awareness globally. The lessons learnt from this inquiry will inform others who aspire to global co-operative childbirth related projects. The presentation will open a dialogue about the process of the inquiry and the outcomes.
Source: Manual