Women’s and Midwives’ Perspectives on the Integrated Continuous Team Midwifery Care Model in Iran: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Background: The integrated continuous team midwifery care model (ICTMC) is characterized by theprovision of comprehensive, individualized care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartumperiod. A lack of continuity and collaboration may limit the traditional model of midwifery carecurrently dominant in Iran. Understanding the perspectives of both mothers and midwives, helpsevaluate the effectiveness of team-based midwifery care. This study aimed to explore women’s andmidwives’ perspectives on the ICTMC in Iran.Methods: This conventional content analysis was conducted on 16 mothers and 12 midwives whoparticipated in continuous midwifery care in government health centers in Kashan, Iran, fromDecember 2023 to April 2024. The participants were selected through a purposive sampling method.In this study, in-depth semi-structured individual interviews were used. Interviews continued untildata saturation. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim in Persian and analyzed usingthe Graneheim and Lundman method and MAXQDA (2020) software. The rigor of the research wasensured using Lincoln and Guba’s criteria.Results: From the data analysis, twenty-eight sub-subcategories, eleven sub-categories, three categories,and one theme emerged. The main theme of this study was “comprehensive, continuous, and up-todateobstetrics care” with three main categories: “excellence-oriented midwifery care”, “bridgingthe gap in midwifery care from pregnancy to postpartum”, and “making pregnancy, childbirth, andpostpartum a pleasant experience».Conclusions: ICTMC can redefine the standards of midwifery care and improve its quality. Integratingthis model into the current healthcare system is crucial for the future of maternity services and thehealth of mothers and infants.