Women's Interest in Midwifery Continuity of Care During and After Pregnancy and Childbirth in Sweden:“As a Matter of Course”

Abstract

Introduction: The midwifery continuity of care model is well-established internationally, but it is rarely offered in Sweden. Pregnant women's interest in midwifery continuity of care has not been investigated in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the interest of pregnant women and new mothers in Sweden regarding midwifery continuity of care and to identify factors associated with this interest. Methods: A national longitudinal digital questionnaire was conducted to collect background information, pregnancy-related variables, and childbirth-related variables, as well as to measure interest in midwifery continuity of care among women in Sweden. Odds ratios with 95% CIs and logistic regression analyses were used. Results: Of 1697 women who responded, 68.1% expressed a strong interest in midwifery continuity of care during pregnancy, and 74.2% during postpartum. Fear of childbirth was associated with a higher interest in midwifery continuity of care during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.75; 95% CI, 1.34-2.27). Women who had mixed or negative experiences with the care they received were also more likely to be interested in the model (aOR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.43-3.97). Discussion: Pregnant women and new mothers in Sweden show a high level of interest in midwifery continuity of care. However, current maternity services do not adequately meet these preferences, indicating a need to scale up continuity of care models, particularly for women who experience fear of childbirth and dissatisfaction with their care. Therefore, antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care in Sweden should be enhanced to better align with the needs and preferences of pregnant women and new mothers.