Expectant mothers often struggle with what to make of the signs of impending childbirth. As a result, they’re unsure when they should make their way to the hospital. In such situations, many women call a midwife for advice. This is a critical moment for the further course of labour, as this conversation influences how women experience the so-called latent phase and determines when they’re admitted to hospital. “It’s not easy to assess the optimal time over the phone,” says Susanne Grylka, Head of Research at the Institute of Midwifery and Reproductive Health at the ZHAW School of Health Professions. In general, medical staff try to avoid premature admission. In hospital, regular monitoring can create pressure for labour to progress. This increases the likelihood of labour-inducing drugs being administered and births by caesarean section, both of which come with associated costs.

Emotions systematically taking into account

The GebStart study shows that around three quarters of women benefit from staying at home for as long as possible during this stage of labour. For around one in four women, however, the pain is too much, or they experience increasing anxiety at home, which can inhibit childbirth. “Going to hospital early would be very important for these women,” says study author Grylka. Together with her team, she has developed a questionnaire to help care workers provide better advice and more individualized care for expectant mothers. In addition to covering physical symptoms, the questionnaire includes emotional as well as social aspects and was piloted in hospitals. The research project received financial support from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).