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Theorising the relationship between birth unit design and the communication patterns of labouring women and their maternity care providers

Funding: 2011: $100,512
2012: $91,340
2013: $86,140

Project Member(s): Homer, C., Fenwick, J.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Discovery Projects)

Start year: 2011

Summary: The architectural design of hospital birth spaces has a major influence on the quality of communication between women and their care providers and the ability to experience a safe, satisfying birth. This project aims to identify the key features of optimal birth unit design that will enhance communication and thereby improve women's experiences.

Publications:

Menke, S, Jenkinson, B, Foureur, M & Kildea, S 2019, 'Is the Birthing Unit Design Spatial Evaluation Tool valid for diverse groups?', Women and Birth, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 372-379.
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Foureur, M & Harte, JD 2017, 'Salutogenic Design for Birth' in Kopec, D (ed), Health and Well-Being for Interior Architecture, Taylor & Francis, New York, pp. 108-122.

Harte, JD, Homer, CSE, Sheehan, A, Leap, N & Foureur, M 2017, 'Using video in childbirth research', Nursing Ethics, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 177-189.
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Mondy, T, Fenwick, J, Leap, N & Foureur, M 2016, 'How domesticity dictates behaviour in the birth space: Lessons for designing birth environments in institutions wanting to promote a positive experience of birth', Midwifery, vol. 43, pp. 37-47.
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Townsend, B, Fenwick, J, Thomson, V & Foureur, M 2016, 'The birth bed: A qualitative study on the views of midwives regarding the use of the bed in the birth space', WOMEN AND BIRTH, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 80-84.
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Davis Harte, J, Leap, N, Fenwick, J, Homer, CSE & Foureur, M 2014, 'Methodological insights from a study using video-ethnography to conduct interdisciplinary research in the study of birth unit design', International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 36-48.
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Hammond, A, Foureur, M & Homer, CSE 2014, 'The hardware and software implications of hospital birth room design: A midwifery perspective', MIDWIFERY, vol. 30, no. 7, pp. 825-830.
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Hammond, AD, Homer, CSE & Foureur, M 2014, 'Messages from Space: An Exploration of the Relationship between Hospital Birth Environments and Midwifery Practice', HERD-HEALTH ENVIRONMENTS RESEARCH & DESIGN JOURNAL, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 81-95.
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Hammond, A, Foureur, M, Homer, CSE & Davis, D 2013, 'Space, place and the midwife: Exploring the relationship between the birth environment, neurobiology and midwifery practice', WOMEN AND BIRTH, vol. 26, no. 4, pp. 277-281.
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Stenglin, M & Foureur, M 2013, 'Designing out the Fear Cascade to increase the likelihood of normal birth', MIDWIFERY, vol. 29, no. 8, pp. 819-825.
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Keywords: birth environment, communication, birthing women, maternity care providers.

FOR Codes: Built Environment and Design not elsewhere classified, Language, Communication and Culture not elsewhere classified, Midwifery, Expanding Knowledge in Built Environment and Design, Communication not elsewhere classified, Other built environment and design not elsewhere classified, Other language, communication and culture not elsewhere classified