gms | German Medical Science

Background: Individual experiences of pregnant and childbearing people are shaped by varied interdependence of several characteristics such as sexual identity, race/ethnicity/citizenship, descendance, class, social circumstances, age, disabilities, and sexual orientation. These experiences have an impact on their satisfaction with care provision as well as health outcomes, and therefore their future healthcare decisions. This in turn can lead to ongoing inequalities for those affected by healthcare inequalities.

Black US-American feminists have developed the concept of Birth Justice (BJ) to reveal structural injustice and violence in pregnancy, childbirth, maternity, and early parenthood. BJ is part of a wider context of Reproductive Justice. It aims to analyse and dismantle human-rights-based and intersectional aspects within reproductive inequalities.

Aim/Research question: The workshop is designed to provide a platform for those who are interested in intersectional and reflective research. It aims to create an awareness for the potential reproduction of social inequalities due to individual approaches and the impact these can have on research. In addition, it aims to elaborate recommendations for future research that involves reflective planning of intersectional studies.

Methods: Participants will receive a succinct introduction into the political and theoretical framework of Birth Justice and its relevance for midwifery research. Subsequently clinical and research experts from different areas including midwifery (Prof. Dr. Nicola Bauer), sexology (Prof. Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Voß), sociology, (birth)psychology, anthropology, and queer midwifery will be interviewed on organisational, practical, research and methodological challenges in planning reflective, intersectional and discrimination sensitive research. Eventually, participants will identify relevant topics for potential future midwifery research.

Results: Participant will work on identifying relevant topics for future research. Strengths and challenges of reflective intersectional midwifery research as well as potential methods and tools will be critically appraised. All aspects will include the input of the experts involved. At its best this workshop will build a network for researchers who are interested in intersectional studies.

Relevance: Reliable and reflective intersectional data regarding the experience of marginalised minorities within perinatal maternity care is not available within German speaking countries yet. However, since these experiences are essential to provide respectful, discrimination sensitive maternity care to these groups this workshop is key to encourage future midwifery and interprofessional collaborative research.

Conclusion/Recommendations: Everyone who is interested to learn more about the impact of their own approach and research on the reproduction of social inequalities and everyone who is interested in a critical reflection of their own research and clinical practice is invited to participate in this workshop. Moreover, it is designed for those who consider undertaking or are planning studies regarding perinatal maternity care provision for vulnerable groups affected by discrimination.

Ethics and conflicts of interest: A vote on ethics was not necessary. The research was financed by own resources. There are no conflicts of interest.