Ep 98 Caroline Hollins Martin pt 2 on Birth Satisfaction As a Lens for Change

Ep 98 (http://ibit.ly/Re5V) Caroline Hollins Martin pt 2 on Birth Satisfaction As a Lens for Change

@PhDMidwives #research #midwifery  #education @EdinburghNapier #birthsatisfactionscale 

research link - t.ly/I6zN1
https://www.bss-r.co.uk

The professional journey of Caroline Hollins Martin reveals how a single observation about obedience in midwifery practice sparked a global revolution in measuring women's birth experiences. This fascinating conversation takes us from her PhD findings on midwifery obedience to the creation of the internationally recognized Birth Satisfaction Scale now validated in 23 countries and counting.

At the heart of this discussion lies a profound truth: hierarchical structures in healthcare often prevent midwives from providing truly woman-centered care despite their best intentions. Caroline describes how this realization led her to develop a practical tool that captures women's birth experiences in a user-friendly format suited to new mothers. This scale has become the international measurement tool of choice for assessing birth satisfaction.

Particularly illuminating are the discoveries about cultural differences in birth satisfaction. The scale manifests as a three-factor structure in Western countries but a two-factor structure in East Asian nations—reflecting how cultural expectations around obedience and choice significantly shape women's birth experiences. This research has expanded to include partner perspectives through matched scales that measure how birth partners experience the same events.

The conversation doesn't shy away from concerning trends in modern maternity care, including rising cesarean rates and the physiological implications of bypassing natural birth processes. "Oxytocin is the hormone of love," Caroline reminds us, highlighting what women may miss when natural birth processes are interrupted unnecessarily. She also addresses the challenges facing midwifery today, from retention issues to the need for expanded scope of practice.

Whether you're a midwife, researcher, expectant parent, or simply interested in how birth culture affects families, this episode offers profound insights into how measuring birth satisfaction can transform maternity care globally. Visit https://www.bss-r.co.uk/ to explore the scale and its applications for yourself.

Chapters

• 0:53 PhD Research on Midwife Obedience
• 2:03 Oxytocin and Birth Satisfaction
• 4:15 Development of Birth Satisfaction Scale
• 6:26 Cultural Differences in Birth Satisfaction
• 10:26 Respectful Midwifery Care Globally
• 13:46 Future of Birth Satisfaction Research
• 17:26 Challenges in Modern Midwifery
• 30:46 Midwifery Innovation and Career Reflections
• 37:26 Supporting Midwives Through Trauma