Research fields and range of services
Through our research and expertise, we develop innovative perinatal care models, investigate complex perinatal situations, promote equal opportunities and support the development of the midwifery profession and advanced practice midwives.
Fertility and family planning
Our research shows the importance of access to contraceptives for everyone. It also shows the importance of access to medically assisted reproduction for those who cannot have children. As an example, we investigate how couples feel during fertility treatment.
New perinatal care models
We want to develop, implement and evaluate sustainable, interprofessional care models. Midwives should be able to exercise their core competence, the support of physiological pregnancy, and their relevance should be evaluated through accompanying research in order to further develop birth care in a needs-based, professional manner.
Medication during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding
We want to provide midwives with knowledge about the safety of perinatal medication use and to assess and strengthen their advisory skills, mindsets and resources on matters related to medicine.
Complex perinatal situations
We research the health correlations and the role of the midwife in complications during pregnancy, birth and the post-partum period. One example is the work we do investigating the connection between excess weight and unfavourable perinatal outcomes. We also focus on contextual factors such as weight stigma, which can influence the risk of birth complications. We show how perinatal care for overweight women can be optimally promoted.
Equal opportunities for the health of mother and child
We want to record the access women with a migration background have to perinatal healthcare, clarify their health needs and significantly improve their perinatal care. We investigate how women in socio-economically stressed life situations experience the perinatal period. Our findings flow into needs-oriented care, institutional design and the processes in care itself.
Ethical action in perinatal care practice
We investigate how education, practical experience and the working environment influence ethical decisions made by midwives. We shed light on the causes of moral distress experienced by professionals. We investigate the reasons behind women experiencing coercion during birth and the effects this has.
Professional development and interprofessionality
Through our research, we support midwives’ academic advancement and strengthen scientific evidence. We also create the basis for the adoption of expanded competencies in the profession through the development of specialised advanced midwifery practice roles. This includes the interprofessional training and continuing education of students and specialists and their evaluation.
