Aastrika Birthing Center- a model for midwifery-led care in India
Short description
This project is a process evaluation of implementing a model for interdisciplinary midwifery-led care protecting physiological birth in Bangalore, India. This originates from the Government of India’s effort to educate a new cadre of 90 000 midwives according to international standards, and implementing the 24 hours 7 days a week midwifery-led birthing units across the country.The project is implemented at Aastrika Midwifery Center, a stand-alone private midwifery birthing unit at Vasavi Hospital in Bangalore.
Background
By 2030, maternity services in India will need to respond to approximately 35 million births per year. With a cesarean section rate of 17,2% in public hospitals and 40,9% in private hospitals, and with only 25% of institutional births mangaged by nurse-midwives, poor-quality care, is partially due to a simultaneous overuse and underuse of medical interventions. As a response, the Government of India has committed to educate 90 000 professional midwives to optimising experiencies and safety of giving birth.
Aim
The overall aim of the project is to study the implementation of an interdisciplinary midwifery-led care model protecting physiological birth, optimizing experience and contribute to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in Bangalore, India.
Method
The project will be evaluated using a process evaluation framework for complex interventions, combining qualitative and quantitative data. This to explore contextual factors influencing the implementation of an interdisciplinary midwifery-led care model at the Aastrika birthing unit in Bangalore. To explore the implementation process of the introduced care model the project will investigate childbirth experiences, the impact of a simulation-based training intervention to healthcare professionals, compliance with developed care standards, and outcomes of labour and birth in comparison with regular maternity care in India.
