WORKING AS A COORDINATOR MIDWIFE IN A TERTIARY ...

Relationships between this and other studies
Within this section of writing I will attempt to show how this study relates to other
studies.
In the absence of research on midwife coordinators, the findings of Goldblatt et al.,(2008)
who researched the experiences of hospital ward nurse shift leaders was the only
comparable study. Their study revealed themes which identified nurse shift leader’s
concerns for their personal emotional wellbeing as a result of their work experiences.
Coordinators in this study reveal their focus is on the provision of the best possible
delivery of care for mothers and babies, with a strong concern revealed for their
professional colleagues and an equally strong objective for provision of midwifery
focused care during their shifts. The question of their personal emotional wellbeing was
left unsaid.
Smythe’s (2000) research on ‘being safe in childbirth’ is reflected in this study with
coordinators revealing their understanding and management of the ‘unknowness’ and
unpredictability of midwifery work. The research by Earl (2004) and McAra - Couper
(2007) combined with conference presentations by Isa, et al. (2002) and McAra – Couper
et al. (2004) offer practical, honest observations and experiences of New Zealand
midwives who work in secondary care delivery suite workplaces. These hospital
midwives are working ‘under’ the influences of institutional constraints in their hospital
settings whilst maintaining their strong desire to offer midwifery focused care and
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