Realities from practice: What it means to midwives and student midwives to care for women with BMIs ≥30kg/m2 during the childbirth continuum

Abstract

Women with raised BMIs ≥30kg/m2 have now become the ‘norm’ in maternity practice due to the recent obesity epidemic. To date only very limited research evidence exists highlighting midwives’ experiences of caring for this group of women. This thesis aims to provide original research on what it means to midwives and student midwives on the point of qualification to care for this client group throughout the childbirth continuum.