In what ways does maternity care in Australia align with the values and principles of the national maternity strategy? A scoping review

Australia's national maternity strategy Woman-centred care: strategic directions for Australian maternity services (the Strategy) was released by the federal government in November 2019. It was developed to provide national guidance on the effective provision of woman-centred maternity care. The Strategy is structured around four values of safety, respect, choice, and access, and underpinned by twelve principles of woman-centred care. By examining previous research, this review aims to provide a baseline understanding of how maternity care provision is being met in relation to these core values. A systematic search of Australian literature was undertaken via four databases using the Strategy's values and 41 articles met the selection criteria. Include articles were predominantly published pre-2019, providing a baseline understanding of Australian maternity care provision prior to the Strategy's publication. Findings suggest that the four values align with those of women; however, women were not always receiving care in accordance with the values, particularly among women from priority populations. Women prioritised safety for themselves and their babies, articulated the need for respectful relationships with maternity care providers, wanted autonomy to make their own decisions, and desired access to appropriate, local, maternity services. Additionally, while pockets of appropriate care do exist, these are more likely to occur at a single-service level than more broadly at a population level. This implies the Strategy is needed, and its operationalisation must be prioritised through a coordinated national response to better meet the maternity care needs of Australian women. Further research is warranted to determine the Strategy's effectiveness.

Automated summary

Australia's national maternity strategy, titled "Woman-centred care: strategic directions for Australian maternity services," was released by the federal government in November 2019. The strategy aims to provide national guidance on woman-centred maternity care and is based on four values and twelve principles. This review examines the current provision of maternity care in relation to these values and finds that although there is alignment, not all women receive care in accordance with the values, particularly those from priority populations. It emphasizes the need for a coordinated national response to better meet the maternity care needs of Australian women.