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Table 4 Key differences between obstetric and midwifery units

From: Factors influencing water immersion during labour: qualitative case studies of six maternity units in the United Kingdom

Categories and themes

Obstetric units

Midwifery units

Physical environment

 Pool availability

Pool in 7–17% of birth rooms

Pool in 60–100% of birth rooms

 Pool room environment

Some pool rooms disliked by midwives

Described by women/midwives as relaxing/encouraging of pool use

Midwives’ intrapersonal factors

 Midwives’ attitudes

Some not keen on pool use, often due to lack of confidence

All very positive about pool use

 Midwives’ confidence

Some not confident - frightened of pool use

All confident in supporting pool use

Autonomy and support of midwives

 Senior staff support

Some senior staff unsupportive of pool use

Midwives feel very supported by seniors to support pool use

 Midwives’ autonomy

Some autonomy to offer the pool to ‘low risk’ women

Complete autonomy to offer the pool to all women

Information and support for women

 Women’s awareness

Women don’t necessarily know there is a pool, so don’t ask to use one

Women very aware of pools on the unit; most ask to use one

 Information given to women

Pool use not fully discussed antenatally

Pool use discussed and encouraged antenatally

 Proactive offering of pool

Pool not usually offered - women have to be proactive

Pool offered / promoted to all women

 Support for women to use a pool

Pool use generally discouraged, and in some cases blocked

Women are supported / actively encouraged to use a pool