Exploring views on normal birth in the Nordic and Baltic regions: a cross-national qualitative study with midwives working in hospital birth settings
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Midwifery knowledge, education and training in practice are challenged in contemporary maternity care by the growing trend towards interventions during childbirth, a dominant risk perspective and medicalised care. There is an ongoing debate about the definition of normal birth, however, midwives continue to advocate for normal birth. OBJECTIVE: To explore midwives' views and definitions of normal birth, and how they work to promote it, in a hospital setting. METHODS: A qualitative cross-national study was conducted in the Nordic and Baltic regions by student midwives (n = 35) and their university-based supervisors from midwifery education programs, (n = 10). A total of 145 midwives were interviewed individually or in groups. A comprehensive thematic analysis was employed. RESULTS: Midwives' views on normal birth revealed a midwifery identity shaped by the guiding philosophy of the profession. Definitions of normal birth varied among midwives, influenced by their working environment, individual perspectives, and cultural and socio-political backgrounds. Regardless of these differences, midwives emphasized the importance of meeting women's expectations and maintaining a supportive presence during childbirth, fostering effective communication with both women and healthcare colleagues to advocate for physiological birthing processes. CONCLUSION: Our findings illustrate midwives' dedication to promote healthy, physiological birthing processes, which stands as a core value of their profession. Hindrances exist in the hospital birth setting that impact healthy outcomes. The widespread use of the term normal birth is challenging. This study invites rethinking birth narratives supporting exploration of other terms, such as healthy birth, to better capture the philosophy and practice of midwifery.
Source: Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare
Institutions: Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Lund University, Riga Stradiņš University, University of Copenhagen, University College Copenhagen, Vytautas Magnus University, Novia University of Applied Sciences, University of Stavanger, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, University of Iceland
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,850
Funder: Nordisk Ministerråd
OpenAlex ID: W7130338301