Taking the drama out of obstetric theatre: implementing change

Brodrick, Alison
Baston, Helen

Alison Brodrick is a Consultant Midwife and Clinical Lead for the labour ward at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals' NHS Foundation Trust.
Helen Baston is a Consultant Midwife in Public Health at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals' NHS Foundation Trust.

MIDIRS Midwifery Digest 27(4):p 467-472, December 2017.

The value of skin-to-skin contact (SSC) is universally acknowledged as being of benefit to both mother and baby (,). Whether women experience SSC can sometimes be affected by the need for emergency care. It is also evident that culture and individual practice can play a role (,).

This article describes an innovative service programme aimed at improving the experiences of women in obstetric theatre and optimising the opportunity for SSC. It explores the use of forum theatre as a medium for knowledge transformation and for mobilising action in the practice setting.