Spotlight on Research

This Australian study used a narrative inquiry methodology to explore experiences of women who give birth while in the care of paramedics. Themes from this study surrounded communication, consent, respect and empathy, and confidence and trust in paramedic care. While many positives emerged, there were also areas for improvement. In communication, there was a broad spectrum of responses from one participant who described her paramedic as ‘amazing’ to another who said she had to shout in order for the paramedic to listen.

Many women said that the paramedic did not ask permission to carry out procedures or assessments on them or their babies and gave examples of IV insertion completed during a contraction without consent, and blood glucose tests on a baby with no discussion or consent from the mother.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, women had mixed levels of confidence in the paramedic's ability to manage the birth. Some expressed complete confidence due to the paramedic's demeanour and self-assuredness in the situation, while others had little confidence, especially when the paramedic told them they were inexperienced in managing childbirth. The lessons: involve the mother in decision-making, seek consent—and be nice!