Abstract
075 - Exploring Motherhood in Midwifery Education: A Phenomenological Study of Australian Students
Women and birth, Vol.38(Supplement 1), pp.30-31
09/2025
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Background: There are no formal guidelines for returning to study after maternity leave, and midwifery students decide independently when to resume their university and clinical placements, with some returning just days or weeks after giving birth. Despite the strong influence of social capital on new mothers' ability to complete their midwifery degrees, midwifery programs still face high attrition rates. Our study examined the lived experience, motivations and factors that influenced midwifery students' decisions to return to their studies post-birth.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore and gain insight into the experiences of midwifery students who became pregnant during their studies and returned to complete their degree following birth.
Methods: Semi-structured, online interviews were conducted with seven midwifery students across Australia, using an interpretivist phenomenological approach.
Results: Four main themes and eight subthemes were identified from the interview data; the main themes were: Mapping the terrain of career and motherhood; Making it happen; Maintaining commitment to breastfeeding; and Maintaining perspective.
Discussion and Conclusion: Midwifery students who become pregnant during their studies need accommodations for example, childcare support, flexible midwifery professional experience placements and enrolments to successfully return to education. Addressing these challenges is important for improving student engagement, retention, and increasing the number of midwifery graduates in the workforce. Further research is needed on factors leading to student attrition due to pregnancy. Supporting mothers to study will increase graduates entering the midwifery workforce.
Details
- Title
- 075 - Exploring Motherhood in Midwifery Education: A Phenomenological Study of Australian Students
- Creators
- Terri Downer Associate Professor - University of the Sunshine CoastMichelle Gray Associate Professor - University of NewcastleJessie Johnson-Cash - University of the Sunshine CoastElaine Jefford - University of the Sunshine CoastLiz McNeill - Flinders UniversityLyn Ebert - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Women and birth, Vol.38(Supplement 1), pp.30-31
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd; AMSTERDAM
- Identifiers
- 991013309993102368
- Academic Unit
- Allied Health and Midwifery; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Abstract