Homebirth outcomes and postnatal experiences in Canterbury (HOPE) study
type: CreativeWork
description: Background: Homebirth and home postnatal outcomes are not well described within midwifery literature. What evidence exists supports the high value of continuity of midwifery care and the positive experiences of homebirth and a home postnatal course. What is considered ‘normal’ in relation to newborn weight change is also poorly understood and is informed almost entirely by institutional postnatal care outcomes. Despite implementation of policies protecting exclusive breastfeeding for newborns, breastfeeding outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand are sub-optimal at six weeks postpartum. Aim: To describe neonatal outcomes in relation to breastfeeding and newborn weight change following homebirth in Aotearoa New Zealand and to understand how women’s experiences of a home postnatal course with continuity of midwifery care following homebirth might contribute to understanding these outcomes. Methods: This research employed a mixed methods triangulation design consisting of concurrent collection of equally weighted quantitative and qualitative data sets. There were two sets of participants: eight focus group participants (50% primiparous) and 90 survey participants (21% primiparous). Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify key qualitative themes from focus group discussions with eight homebirth parents in Christchurch, New Zealand. Descriptive statistical analysis was applied to report quantitative homebirth postnatal outcomes from survey data of 90 homebirths in the Canterbury/West Coast region. This research was underpinned by a critical realist framework that enabled exploration of the complex social and cultural factors that shape midwifery practice and maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Findings: Women described the importance of support and creating a safe space for birth and early breastfeeding. Homebirth was described as a shared, empowering experience, and this positive birth experience had a direct impact on women’s postnatal experience. Continuity of mid…
abstract: Background: Homebirth and home postnatal outcomes are not well described within midwifery literature. What evidence exists supports the high value of continuity of midwifery care and the positive experiences of homebirth and a home postnatal course. What is considered ‘normal’ in relation to newborn weight change is also poorly understood and is informed almost entirely by institutional postnatal care outcomes. Despite implementation of policies protecting exclusive breastfeeding for newborns, breastfeeding outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand are sub-optimal at six weeks postpartum. Aim: To describe neonatal outcomes in relation to breastfeeding and newborn weight change following homebirth in Aotearoa New Zealand and to understand how women’s experiences of a home postnatal course with continuity of midwifery care following homebirth might contribute to understanding these outcomes. Methods: This research employed a mixed methods triangulation design consisting of concurrent collection of equally weighted quantitative and qualitative data sets. There were two sets of participants: eight focus group participants (50% primiparous) and 90 survey participants (21% primiparous). Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify key qualitative themes from focus group discussions with eight homebirth parents in Christchurch, New Zealand. Descriptive statistical analysis was applied to report quantitative homebirth postnatal outcomes from survey data of 90 homebirths in the Canterbury/West Coast region. This research was underpinned by a critical realist framework that enabled exploration of the complex social and cultural factors that shape midwifery practice and maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Findings: Women described the importance of support and creating a safe space for birth and early breastfeeding. Homebirth was described as a shared, empowering experience, and this positive birth experience had a direct impact on women’s postnatal experience. Continuity of mid…
author: Clapham, Violet
language: en
keywords: homebirth, postnatal, breastfeeding, newborn weight, continuity, New Zealand
date published: 2023
date modified: 2026-07-27T20:28:17Z
provider: Otago Polytechnic
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Otago Polytechnic | Te Pūkenga

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6307