Jhpiego in partnership with Save the Children, Constella Futures, The Academy for Educational Development, The American College of Nurse-Midwives and IMA World Health Women-Friendly Care: A Discussion Best Practices in Maternal and Newborn Care

2 Divide into Groups of 3–5 Participants Discuss the following questions:  How would you define “women-friendly care”?  Why is women-friendly care important?  Give some examples of care you have seen that is not women-friendly.  Give some examples of care that is women- friendly.  How can you help ensure that your students will value and learn to provide women-friendly care?

3 After Small Group Discussion Reconvene as a large group to share your thoughts, conclusions and recommendations...

4 Discussion Guide for Facilitator  The next slides will have some points you will want to bring out during the discussion.  Be sure to allow, and build on, participant contributions as much as possible in summarizing the discussions.

5 How would you define “women-friendly care”?  Provides services that are acceptable to the woman:  Respects beliefs, traditions, and culture  Includes family, partner, or other support person in care  Provides relevant and feasible advice  Empowers woman and her family to become active participants in care  Considers the rights of the woman:  Right to information about her health  Right to be informed about what to expect during visit  Obtains permission/consent prior to exams and procedures  Ensures that all health care staff use good interpersonal skills  Considers the emotional, psychological and social well- being of the woman

6 Why is women-friendly care important? Women-friendly care is life-saving, as studies have shown that women may refuse to seek care from a provider who “abuses” them or does not treat them well, even if the provider is skilled in preventing and managing of complications.

7 Give some examples of care that is not women-friendly  Does not respect woman or her culture or background  Rude, offensive, demeaning language by health personnel  Physically restrains, pushes or hits the woman  Insists on routine procedures that are convenient for the health care provider but may be shameful or disgusting to the woman, e.g., lithotomy position only, routine episiotomy, frequent vaginal exams, assembly-line fashion of care  Excludes partner or companion from care  Separates mother and baby

8 Give some examples of care that is women-friendly  Individualizes care to woman’s needs  Recognizes the richness and spiritual significance of community and culture:  Is aware of traditional beliefs regarding pregnancy and childbirth  Cooperates and liaises with traditional health care system when possible  Provides culturally sensitive care  Respects and supports the mother-baby dyad:  Encourages bonding  Keeps baby with mother  Places baby on mother’s abdomen (at breast) immediately after birth

9 Give some examples of care that is women-friendly (cont.)  Speaks to the woman in her own language  Observes rules and norms of her culture as appropriate  Is aware of who makes decisions in her life and involves that person in discussions and decisions  Works with traditional birth attendants when possible  Learns about traditional practices:  Promotes/builds on positive traditional practices  Offers alternatives to those that are harmful

10 How can you help ensure that your students will value and learn to provide women-friendly care?  Consistent role modeling of women-friendly care  Use of women-friendly approaches in simulated settings, e.g., with anatomic models  Emphasis of women-friendly care during teaching of all procedures and types of care