Optimising Psychophysiological Care During Birth

Midwives are a guardian of the birth space, ensuring women feel safe, empowered and in control of their birth experience. A psychophysiological care pathway can ensure women’s emotional and cognitive needs are being met, as well as their physical needs ensuring holistic safety. By building a ‘birth nest’ women can feel secure and protected within the birth space without the feeling of being hyper-observed. Through connection, midwives can offer compassion and emotional reassurance to the woman which is based on a relationship of trust. Through the development of essential midwifery skills, midwives can consider how to strengthen the psychophysiological care they provide women during labour and birth.