Digital midwifery care – Blurring boundaries and finding new paths for midwifery care during pregnancy and postpartum: A qualitative study on Swedish midwives’ experiences

IF 1.7 3区医学 Q3 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare Pub Date : 2025-09-15 DOI:10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101147

Bäckström Caroline, Nilvér Helena, Lindgren Carina, Ludvigsson Elinor, Grönstervall Sabina, Moberg-Monsén Beatrice, Palmér Lina

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Abstract

Objective

In recent years, digital health interventions have increased in society. Swedish midwifery care is no exception, as digital solutions are increasingly being used during pregnancy and postpartum care for expectant and new parents. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore midwives’ experiences of digital midwifery care and information during pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods

Focus groups and individual interviews were held with fourteen Swedish midwives working within antenatal care. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis.

Results

The results are presented in one overall theme: Digital Midwifery Care – Blurring boundaries and finding new paths for midwifery care, and three themes: Digital midwifery care is shaped by organizational prerequisites constraining and supporting; Digital midwifery care poses challenges establishing trustful relationships, and Digital midwifery care enhances accessibility, enabling participation.

Conclusion

Digital midwifery care is experienced by midwives as blurring the boundaries and finding new paths for midwifery care. Midwives negotiate with themselves, not losing the caring relationship as a core dimension of midwifery. Digital transformation within midwifery care has altered midwives’ way of working, and thus probably also their approach to caring.

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数字助产护理——模糊界限，为怀孕和产后助产护理寻找新的途径：瑞典助产士经验的定性研究。

目的：近年来，数字健康干预措施在社会上有所增加。瑞典的助产护理也不例外，数字解决方案越来越多地用于孕妇和新父母的孕期和产后护理。因此，本研究的目的是探讨助产士在怀孕和产后的数字助产护理和信息的体验。方法：对14名从事产前保健工作的瑞典助产士进行焦点小组和个人访谈。数据分析采用专题分析法。结果：结果呈现在一个总体主题中：数字助产护理-模糊界限并寻找助产护理的新路径，以及三个主题：数字助产护理受到组织先决条件的限制和支持；数字助产护理对建立信任关系提出了挑战，数字助产护理提高了可及性，促进了参与。结论：数字化助产服务模糊了助产服务的界限，为助产服务开辟了新的途径。助产士与自己协商，并没有失去作为助产服务核心维度的关怀关系。助产护理的数字化转型改变了助产士的工作方式，因此可能也改变了她们的护理方法。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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