Transforming intrapartum care: Respectful maternity care

Abstract

Respectful maternity care is recommended by the World Health Organization and refers to care that maintains dignity, privacy, confidentiality, ensures freedom from harm and mistreatment, and enables informed choice and continuous support during labour and childbirth. In this paper, we review the evidence of respectful maternity care and discuss considerations for professional practice for health care providers. While there is limited evidence on what type of interventions can improve respectful maternity care, promising skills development for providers has included training on values, transforming attitudes, and interpersonal communication. Within a health facility, enabling environments may be created by setting up quality improvement teams, monitoring experiences of poor treatment, mentorship, and improved working conditions for staff. In order to provide respectful care, health facilities and health systems must be structured in a way that supports and respects providers, and ensures adequate infrastructure and organisation of the maternity ward.