From the midwives’ perspectives, in order to manage this
complexity judiciously, there is a need to provide sufficient time
for established relationships to be formed with the women, in
order to be able to adjust the communication to the individual
woman
One interesting finding is that some of the midwives
prioritised abdominal palpation within this technical context
(where women are subjected to the ultra-scan/ultrasound
examination at each appointment during the third trimester).
From a clinical medical perspective, abdominal palpation does
not add information beyond the ultrasound examination;
however, the midwife uses this opportunity to become closer
to the woman in order to sensitise the woman to her unborn
baby, a technique considered to strengthening the maternalbaby
communicative contact the mother has with her unborn
baby. This finding resonates with Ra˚ destad’s concept of mindfetalness,
an awareness of the fitness of the unborn baby or a
mindfulness-based focus on foetal movements.27 This finding
might be of significance in this context as previous studies point
to findings that women who experience reduced foetal movements
are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.28
Skin-to-skin contact may release oxytocin, a neuromodulator
that may counteract stress by reducing the sympathoadrenal
activity and increase parasympathetic-vagal activity to enhance
bonding, trust and closeness in relationships.29 So, this low-tech
skin-to-skin physical contact might have the potential to
increase the woman’s well-being, and improve the woman–
baby relationship and, as an added bonus, enhance the midwife–
woman relationship