Midwives’ Perceptions of The Care They Provide to Women with Twin Pregnancies Following Assisted Reproductive Technology

Abstract

Aims: To identify midwives' perceptions of the care they provided to women with twin pregnancies following assisted reproductive technology (ART). Methods: A group interview was conducted with five midwives who had provided midwifery care to women with a twin pregnancy following ART. Data was analyzed using Riessman's (2008) Thematic Analysis approach. Results: The following ideas emerged relating to the midwives' perceptions of the care they had provided: (a) pregnancy life dominated by anxiety; (b) the burden of an advanced maternal age pregnancy in addition to the pressures of a twin pregnancy; (c) bewilderment over the gap between one's ideal and reality due to picturing delivery as the goal; (d) mothers who felt distant from their children; (e) need for ongoing support ; and (f) lack of consideration for the fact that the mother underwent ART. Conclusions: Coherent midwifery care is not always provided to women with a history of ART. This suggests the need for improved knowledge among midwives and a more widespread practice of taking the patient's history of ART into consideration when providing midwifery care.