gms | German Medical Science

Background: Since April 2018 obstetric teams of meanwhile 17 participating hospitals take part in the clinical trial „Be-Up“ [1]. During the trial, half of the total of 3,800 participants (nulliparae and multiparae) are randomised to the alternative birthing room, which environment is created to foster maternal mobility, upright positions and self-determination in various ways. Midwifery students are placed for their practical study periods in some of the participating hospitals.

Aim/Research Question: What do midwifery students learn about a randomised controlled trial? What kind of experiences can midwifery students acquire in the alternative birthing room of the „Be-Up“trial? In which way do these experiences enhance the students‘ competences and skills in effectively supporting a labouring woman during labour and birth?

Methods: This workshop is conducted based on the method of moderated conferencing [2] starting with a moderated interview of experienced peers (midwifery students), followed by questions from the audience and discussion.

By means of this approach, opportunities for individual learning experiences will be provided by the moderator’s questions, the students‘ authentic experiences, and the ideas of the workshop participants. . In this way the participants can benefit and learn from the midwifery students’ practical examples.

Results: In the workshop the midwifery students will provide insights in their learning experiences pertaining to informing pregnant women, obtaining their informed consent, and documenting data for the clinical trial. They will share their experiences in supporting a woman’s self-determination during labour, fostering upright positions, and attending a birth in maternal upright position. Also, safety aspects in using the floor mattress and foam elements as well as challenges regarding their own professional attitude and behaviour are discussed.

Relevance: Considering the high caesarean section rates and challenges regarding the promotion physiologic births in hospitals, the development of midwifery students‘ practical skills in supporting upright maternal positions, mobility and self-determination during labour and birth is an important task. Moreover, in future the development of midwifery science and the realisation of research projects depend on the prospective midwives*’ practical knowledge and their understanding of implementing a clinical trial.

Recommendations/Conclusion: During their study programme, midwifery students should be encouraged to share their learning experiences in the birthing room of the Be-Up trial with their peers. They also should acquire knowledge of the role of „study midwife“; with the aim of promoting their interest in research and their participation in future clinical trials.

Ethics and conflicts of interest: A vote on ethics was obtained. The research was supported by external funding. There are no conflicts of interest.