Factors related to pregnancy, childcare and work continuation among midwives

Abstract

Purpose The aim of the present study was to clarify important factors affecting hospital midwives' decision to continue working while pregnant, after giving birth, and while providing childcare. Methods Subjects comprised 1469 midwives working at 336 hospitals with an Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. Subjects were either pregnant or providing childcare for children between the age of 0 and graduation from elementary school. A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using anonymous self-administered questionnaires distributed by mail. Survey content included subject attributes and health status, family and home environment, child and child-care environment, working environment, and motivation to work. Analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between each survey item and 'status of work continuation to date (continued work group and temporarily left job group)', and 'intentions regarding future work continuation (hoping to continue group and considering leaving group)'. Results A total of 986 questionnaires were collected (response rate, 67.1%), of which 951 were valid (valid response rate, 96.5%). The mean age of subjects was 36.8 ± 5.26 years and the mean number of children was 1.96 with most subjects having 2 children. The mean score on the Work Motivation Scale was 58.7 ± 8.68. A highly significant difference was observed between 'status of work continuation to date' and the understanding and cooperation of parents and parents-in-law. No significant difference was seen between 'intentions regarding future work continuation' and family understanding and cooperation; however, a significant difference was observed regarding workplace environmental factors of good working conditions, the ease of balancing working and childcare, the understanding of superiors, and the presence of other working-mother midwives as role models. Conclusion These findings suggest that a working environment in which it is easy to balance working and childcare, and the understanding of superiors are important factors affecting the decision of hospital midwives who are pregnant or are providing childcare to continue working. Strong personal motivation of the midwife and the understanding and cooperation of the family constitute prerequisites for continuing to work.