Review of Kinga Żurawska vel Dziurawiec doctoral dissertation: The scope and nature of comforting touch between a midwife and a woman in labour in the delivery room

Abstract

REVIEW OF KINGA ŻURAWSKA VEL DZIURAWIEC DOCTORAL DISSERTATION: THE SCOPE AND NATURE OF COMFORTING TOUCH BETWEEN A MIDWIFE AND A WOMAN IN LABOUR IN THE DELIVERY ROOM

The comforting touch which is a fundamental form of human activity is an indispensable element in midwifery practice. It is the  source of information about positive and negative feelings of the patient. The touch made by a midwife is aimed at alleviating suffering, the provision of emotional support, to express kindness and closeness and improve patient well-being. The aim of the study was to determine the range and character of tactile contact (touch) between a midwife and a woman in labour in the delivery room. One of the most interesting results is that touch remembered by examined women was described as a positive, mostly in those moments of labour which refer to the baby.