Communication in Maternity care: Navigating with the Birth Map

Introduction: The Birth Map evolved from the birth plan to improve communication, aid decision making and enhance the birth journey without compromising the childbearing woman's individual needs and values. As a book with three sections, The Birth Map outlines maternity care, gives question prompts for labour and birth, and ideas for ‘beyond the birth’ preparations. The Birth Map Study evaluated the book across different models of care. This presentation focuses on the question: Does The Birth Map facilitate communication between care providers and childbearing women?
Methods: A mixed method data collection within a Realist Evaluation framework explored what works for whom, in what circumstances, and why.
Results: Participants across different models of care felt it facilitated communication when the care providers needed to change, or care became complex. It also helped them prepare their partners. Impediments to communication were dismissive care providers and short appointments. Positive communication outcomes are associated with a good relationship with the care provider. In fragmented care, the birth map facilitated communication by giving a sense of control and the ability to glean information they needed. In intense or difficult births, the birth map helped ease possible trauma as the scenario had been discussed as a possibility.
Conclusion: The Birth Map facilitated women to initiate communication with their care providers by providing question prompts and awareness of different possibilities they may face. The women had control over what they wanted to know and understood themselves as the decision maker. Care providers can use this tool to help build relationships that facilitate communication, aid decision making and enhance experiences for childbearing women.