PROVISION OF AFTERTHOUGHTS SERVICE AND PATIENTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON ‘AFTER THOUGHTS SERVICE’ IN CUMBERLAND INFIRMARY CARLISLE, UK.

Abstract

Background: an after thoughts service was developed as information giving service and it has been utilized to offer informal counseling, to receive feedback on staff interaction and debriefing of a mother’s individual experience of pregnancy. Objective: this study examines steps of midwifery afterthoughts service and also looks at maternal experience of a midwifery led afterthoughts service, which has been offered to women who deliver at Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle (cic) or Penrith Birth Centre (Pbc) during January 2016 to December 2016. Methodology: this service was provided to total 66 women regardless of their mode of delivery. Their demographic data was recorded and they were allowed to discuss their perceptions, anxieties and other labour and birth related issues by giving chances of open-ended questions. Finally, this service was reviewed by asking them to complete a questionnaire. Results: the results of this study show that all women attended afterthoughts service needed to discuss their birth related events with some professional in order to reduce their traumatic experience and anxieties related to child birth. Debriefing can contribute to risk management by using both negative and positive feedback to help improve and change care and practice, on an individual level and unit level. Conclusion: debriefing should be available for all women at a time when they feel ready to access it and, in an environment, where they feel most comfortable. Its purpose is to aid women to finish the journey into mother-hood while also aiding improvements in the provision of maternity care.