Women's experiences of birth in St Petersburg, Russian Federation

Abstract

Abstract A capacity-building prograinine for professionals in maternal and child health care in St Peteisburg, Russian Federation, coininericed in 1994. The programme is designed to provide 1 2 workshops in antenatal and intrapartuin care as well as in preparation for pregnancy, birth and parenthood for liealth-care professionals in the city. Women's experiences of their care are reported here. Findings reflect that iumy of the rraditioiial Soviet systems of care are being altered to incorporate new knowledge. While there is still room for improvement, particularly with regard to preparation of women for their experiences, and with regard to the acceptancc of evidence-based obstetric, midwifery and nursing care, there is also significant change.