‘Family-Centered Maternity Care: Facilitating Communication and Involvement in

the Birthing Process’

Dr .(Prof) Meenu Paul1

1
Professor,
OBG Nursing, Anushree College of Nursing,
Jabalpur,MP

Abstract: Family-centered maternity care is a holistic approach that emphasizes the involvement of family members in
the childbirth experience. This review article explores the importance of family-centered care in obstetrics and the
pivotal role of obstetric and gynecological (OBG) nurses in facilitating communication and engagement of family
members throughout the birthing process. Key aspects of family-centered care, including shared decision-making,
emotional support, and continuity of care, are discussed. The article highlights evidence-based practices and strategies
employed by OBG nurses to promote family-centered care, ultimately aiming to enhance maternal and neonatal
outcomes.
Keywords: Family-centered care, Maternity care, Obstetric nursing, Family involvement, Birthing process,
Communication, Shared decision-making, OBG nurses, Continuity of care.
Introduction: Family-centered maternity care represents experience reduced anxiety levels, shorter labor
a paradigm shift in the approach to childbirth, durations, and decreased rates of interventions such as
recognizing the significance of involving family cesarean sections. Furthermore, involving partners and
members in the entire birthing journey. This approach support persons in childbirth education and labor support
acknowledges the family as an essential component of the can strengthen the familial bond and promote a positive
maternal and neonatal care team, emphasizing birth experience for all involved parties.
collaboration, communication, and shared decision- Family-centered maternity care is founded on the
making. Obstetric and gynecological (OBG) nurses play principle that childbirth is not only a significant event for
a pivotal role in implementing family-centered care the mother but also a transformative experience for the
principles, ensuring that the needs and preferences of entire family unit. This approach recognizes the profound
both mothers and their families are addressed throughout impact that family members, including partners, siblings,
the perinatal period. This review article aims to explore and other close relatives, have on the birthing experience
the importance of family-centered maternity care and the and the postpartum period. By actively involving family
specific strategies utilized by OBG nurses to foster family members in prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care,
involvement in the birthing process. family-centered maternity care aims to enhance the
Importance of Family-Centered Maternity Care: physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of
Family-centered maternity care is grounded in the belief both the mother and her family.
that childbirth is a transformative experience not only for 1. Enhanced Maternal Satisfaction: Involving
the mother but also for her family members. Involving the family members in the childbirth experience can
family in prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care can significantly contribute to maternal satisfaction.
have profound benefits, including improved maternal When women feel supported by their loved ones
satisfaction, enhanced bonding between parents and during labor and delivery, they report higher
newborns, and better birth outcomes. Research indicates levels of satisfaction with their birth experience.
that when family members are actively engaged in Family members provide emotional
decision-making and emotional support, women encouragement, advocacy, and reassurance,

Copyright @ Brio International Journal of Nursing Research (BIJNR) 2024 Vol:5, Issue:1 204
 which can help alleviate anxiety and fear
associated with childbirth. Additionally, having
familiar faces present during labor can create a
sense of comfort and security for the mother,
contributing to a positive birth experience.
2. Improved Birth Outcomes: Research suggests
that family-centered care practices are associated
with improved birth outcomes for both mothers
and newborns. When family members are
actively engaged in decision-making and support
during labor, women experience reduced rates of
medical interventions such as cesarean sections
and instrumental deliveries. Furthermore,
continuous support from partners or support
persons has been linked to shorter labor
durations, decreased use of pain medications, and
higher rates of spontaneous vaginal birth. These
factors contribute to better maternal and neonatal
outcomes, including reduced risks of
complications and faster recovery times.
3. Strengthened Family Bond: Childbirth is a
significant life event that not only marks the
arrival of a new family member but also
strengthens existing familial bonds. Involving
family members in the birthing process allows
partners, siblings, and other relatives to actively
participate in the transition to parenthood.
Sharing the childbirth experience fosters a sense
of unity, mutual support, and shared
responsibility within the family unit. Partners
who actively participate in labor and delivery
often report feeling more connected to both the
mother and the newborn, which lays a foundation
for positive parent-infant relationships and
family dynamics.
4. Continuity of Care and Support: Family-
centered maternity care promotes continuity of
care by involving family members in all aspects
of the childbirth journey. From prenatal
education and birth planning to labor support and
postpartum care, family members are integral
members of the care team. This continuity
ensures that mothers receive consistent
emotional support, information, and advocacy
Copyright @ Brio International Journal of Nursing Research (BIJNR) 2024 Vol:5, Issue:1
throughout the perinatal period. Additionally,
involving family members in postpartum care
facilitates the transition to parenthood and
promotes maternal-infant bonding, breastfeeding
success, and newborn care skills.
5. Cultural Considerations and Diversity:
Family-centered care acknowledges the diverse
cultural backgrounds and values of birthing
families and respects their preferences and
traditions. OBG nurses who practice family-
centered care recognize the importance of
culturally competent care, which involves
understanding and honoring the beliefs,
practices, and customs of each family. By
incorporating cultural considerations into care
delivery, OBG nurses can create inclusive and
supportive environments that celebrate the
diversity of birthing families and promote
positive birth experiences for all.
Role of OBG Nurses in Facilitating Family-Centered
Care: OBG nurses are at the forefront of delivering
family-centered maternity care, serving as advocates for
both mothers and their families. Throughout the
childbirth continuum, OBG nurses employ various
strategies to promote family involvement and
communication. During prenatal visits, nurses encourage
expectant mothers to identify their support network and
discuss their birth preferences with family members. In
the labor and delivery room, OBG nurses provide
continuous emotional support to both the mother and her
support persons, addressing any concerns or questions
that may arise. They facilitate shared decision-making by
ensuring that families are informed about their options
regarding pain management, labor progression, and birth
interventions. OBG nurses also play a crucial role in
promoting skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding
initiation, fostering maternal-infant bonding in the
immediate postpartum period.
OBG nurses serve as integral members of the healthcare
team in providing family-centered maternity care. Their
role encompasses various aspects aimed at promoting
communication, involvement, and support for both the
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mother and her family members throughout the childbirth
process.
1. Advocacy and Support: OBG nurses act as
advocates for mothers and their families,
ensuring that their preferences, concerns, and
values are respected and addressed throughout
the perinatal journey. They provide emotional
support, reassurance, and encouragement to both
the expectant mother and her family members,
fostering a supportive and nurturing environment
during labor and delivery.
2. Communication and Education: Effective
communication is essential in promoting family-
centered care. OBG nurses communicate with
expectant mothers and their families to establish
open channels of dialogue, allowing for the
exchange of information, concerns, and
preferences. They educate families about the
childbirth process, including the stages of labor,
pain management options, and potential
interventions, empowering them to make
informed decisions together.
3. Facilitating Shared Decision-Making: OBG
nurses facilitate shared decision-making by
engaging families in discussions about birth
preferences, options for pain relief, and potential
interventions. They present evidence-based
information in a clear and understandable
manner, empowering families to actively
participate in decisions regarding their care. By
fostering a collaborative approach to decision-
making, OBG nurses ensure that families feel
empowered and supported in their choices
throughout the birthing process.
4. Providing Continuous Support: During labor
and delivery, OBG nurses provide continuous
support to both the mother and her family
members. They offer emotional support,
encouragement, and reassurance, helping
families cope with the challenges and
uncertainties of childbirth. OBG nurses also
assist partners and support persons in providing
physical comfort measures, such as massage,
positioning, and relaxation techniques,
Copyright @ Brio International Journal of Nursing Research (BIJNR) 2024 Vol:5, Issue:1
enhancing the birthing experience for the entire
family.
5. Promoting Family Bonding: OBG nurses play
a crucial role in promoting bonding between the
mother, partner, and newborn. They encourage
skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth,
facilitating the release of oxytocin and promoting
maternal-infant attachment. OBG nurses support
families in initiating breastfeeding within the
first hour of life, providing guidance and
assistance as needed to establish a strong
breastfeeding relationship. By promoting early
bonding and breastfeeding, OBG nurses help
strengthen the familial bond and support the
emotional well-being of both the mother and her
newborn.
6. Respecting Cultural and Individual
Preferences: OBG nurses recognize and respect
the cultural and individual preferences of each
family, adapting their care approach accordingly.
They take into consideration cultural traditions,
beliefs, and practices related to childbirth,
ensuring that care is delivered in a culturally
sensitive and respectful manner. OBG nurses
collaborate with families to incorporate cultural
rituals or customs into the birthing process,
honoring the diversity of experiences and
perspectives within the healthcare setting.
Evidence-Based Practices in Family-Centered Care:
Numerous evidence-based practices support the
implementation of family-centered maternity care. For
example, the use of birth plans allows expectant mothers
to articulate their preferences for labor and delivery,
encouraging active participation from family members in
decision-making. Continuous labor support from partners
or doulas has been associated with reduced rates of
obstetric interventions and increased maternal
satisfaction. Additionally, the implementation of
rooming-in practices, where newborns remain with their
mothers 24 hours a day, promotes early bonding and
facilitates breastfeeding initiation. OBG nurses utilize
these practices while also respecting the cultural and
individual preferences of each family, thereby ensuring
personalized and supportive care.
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Family-centered maternity care is grounded in evidence-
based practices that promote the involvement of family
members in the birthing process and contribute to
positive maternal and neonatal outcomes. These practices
encompass various aspects of prenatal, intrapartum, and
postpartum care, emphasizing the importance of
communication, shared decision-making, and emotional
support. Below, we elaborate on some key evidence-
based practices in family-centered care:
1. Birth Plans: Birth plans serve as a
communication tool that allows expectant
mothers to articulate their preferences for labor
and delivery. OBG nurses encourage women to
create birth plans in collaboration with their
families, outlining their desired birth
experiences, pain management preferences, and
interventions they wish to avoid. Research
suggests that the use of birth plans increases
maternal satisfaction and empowers women to
have a more active role in their childbirth
experience. OBG nurses play a crucial role in
reviewing and discussing birth plans with
families, ensuring that their preferences are
respected and integrated into the care plan.
2. Continuous Labor Support: The presence of
continuous labor support from partners, family
members, or trained doulas has been associated
with improved birth outcomes and maternal
satisfaction. OBG nurses recognize the
importance of emotional support during labor
and delivery and encourage families to actively
participate in providing comfort and
encouragement to the laboring mother. Studies
have shown that women who receive continuous
support during labor experience shorter labors,
reduced rates of cesarean sections, and decreased
need for pain medication. OBG nurses work
collaboratively with support persons to create a
supportive and nurturing environment for the
birthing mother.
3. Rooming-In Practices: Rooming-in practices
involve keeping the newborn with the mother in
the same room throughout the postpartum
hospital stay. This practice promotes early
Copyright @ Brio International Journal of Nursing Research (BIJNR) 2024 Vol:5, Issue:1
bonding between mother and baby, facilitates
breastfeeding initiation, and encourages family
involvement in newborn care. OBG nurses
provide education and support to mothers
regarding rooming-in practices, emphasizing the
benefits of skin-to-skin contact, responsive
feeding, and the importance of maintaining close
proximity to the newborn. Research has shown
that rooming-in reduces the incidence of neonatal
complications, enhances maternal-infant
attachment, and supports breastfeeding success.
4. Shared Decision-Making: Shared decision-
making involves collaborative discussions
between healthcare providers, patients, and their
families to make informed choices about
healthcare interventions and treatments. OBG
nurses engage families in shared decision-
making by providing evidence-based
information about various birthing options,
including pain management techniques, labor
positions, and the potential risks and benefits of
medical interventions. By empowering families
to actively participate in decision-making, OBG
nurses promote autonomy, respect individual
preferences, and enhance the overall childbirth
experience.
5. Cultural Sensitivity and Individualized Care:
Recognizing the diversity of cultural beliefs and
practices surrounding childbirth, OBG nurses
deliver culturally sensitive and individualized
care to meet the unique needs of each family.
They engage in open communication, respectful
inquiry, and collaboration with families to
understand their cultural preferences and
incorporate them into the care plan. By
embracing cultural competence, OBG nurses
foster trust, reduce disparities in healthcare
delivery, and promote positive birth experiences
for families from diverse backgrounds.
Conclusion: Family-centered maternity care represents a
fundamental shift in the approach to perinatal care,
recognizing the importance of involving family members
in the birthing process. OBG nurses play a central role in
facilitating communication, providing emotional support,
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and promoting shared decision-making among families.
By embracing evidence-based practices and fostering a
collaborative care environment, OBG nurses can enhance
the childbirth experience for mothers, newborns, and
their families. Moving forward, continued emphasis on
family-centered care principles is essential to improving
maternal and neonatal outcomes and promoting positive
birth experiences.
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How to cite this:

APA Style:
Paul, M. (2024). Family-Centered Maternity Care:
Facilitating Communication and Involvement in the
Birthing Process. Brio International Journal of Nursing
Research (BIJNR), 5(1), 204-209.

Vancouver Style:
Paul M. Family-Centered Maternity Care: Facilitating
Communication and Involvement in the Birthing Process.
Brio Int J Nurs Res (BIJNR). 2024;5(1):204-209.

Copyright @ Brio International Journal of Nursing Research (BIJNR) 2024 Vol:5, Issue:1 209