Optimising fetal growth monitoring in midwifery-led care: audit findings and women's experiences.
Background/Aims: Fetal growth assessment in midwifery-led care relies on symphysis–fundal height measurements, with deviations prompting ultrasound referral. Repeated scans, despite normal findings, can increase interventions and maternal anxiety. This project aimed to highlight if fewer growth scan...
| Publicado en: | British Journal of Midwifery Vol. 34; no. 7; pp. 376 - 383 |
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| Autores principales: | , |
| Formato: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
Mark Allen Holdings Limited
Jul2026
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=194802963&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 194802963 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 09694900 GHC jtl: British Journal of Midwifery issn: 09694900 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Jul2026 vid: 34 iid: 7 pid: 11383 pub: Mark Allen Holdings Limited artinfo: ui: 194802963 194802963 194802963 10.12968/bjom.2025.0130 194802963 ppf: 376 ppct: 7 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Optimising fetal growth monitoring in midwifery-led care: audit findings and women's experiences. aug: au: Baldock, Stephanie Shawe, Jill affil: Pre-doctoral research fellow, Maternity Ultrasound, Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust sug: subj: Expectant Mothers Psychosocial Factors Fetal Monitoring Evaluation Fetal Development Evaluation Midwifery Midwives Ultrasonography, Prenatal Audit Patient Attitudes Evaluation Patient Satisfaction Evaluation Human Female Adolescence Adult Pilot Studies Multimethod Studies Retrospective Design Record Review Comparative Studies Descriptive Statistics Purposive Sample Semi-Structured Interview Questionnaires Data Analysis Software Thematic Analysis Pregnancy Trimester, Third Referral and Consultation Pregnancy Anxiety Psychosocial Factors Fetal Growth Retardation Diagnosis Fetal Growth Retardation Prevention and Control False Positive Results Early Diagnosis Funding Source Adolescent: 13-18 years Adult: 19-44 years Female ab: Background/Aims: Fetal growth assessment in midwifery-led care relies on symphysis–fundal height measurements, with deviations prompting ultrasound referral. Repeated scans, despite normal findings, can increase interventions and maternal anxiety. This project aimed to highlight if fewer growth scans could maintain safety, reduce unnecessary interventions and improve service efficiency. Methods: This mixed-methods study involved a 6-month retrospective audit of 204 growth charts of women referred for at least two growth scans at an NHS trust in southwest England, as well as patient and public involvement discussions with five women who had experienced the service. Quantitative audit data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data from the discussions were analysed thematically. Results: Audit data showed that 45% of women had babies estimated to be in <10th centile by symphysis–fundal height, yet 85% of scans were normal and only 9% of babies were in <10th centile at birth. Almost half of women received conflicting referrals. Women reported that the process was confusing and stressful, supporting the need for improvement. Conclusions: Discrepancies between plotting methods led to additional scans. Clearer referral pathways and enhanced symphysis-fundal height training could reduce unnecessary scans and associated anxiety. Implications for practice: Changes to current protocol are needed to ensure care consistency in appropriate referrals. Training opportunities for midwives through mandatory study days and e-learning modules should promote continuity. An outside organisation could be consulted to develop a face-to-face training package for midwives. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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