An integrative review of supportive relationships between child-bearing women and midwives.

Aims: To review and evaluate the literature on the factors related to developing supportive relationships between women and midwives, including facilitators and barriers.

Design: An integrative review.

Method: The search used CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, EMcare, Maternity and Infant Care, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar from January 2009-June 2020. Two reviewers screened the eligible studies, and 2,399 records were identified. Quality was assessed with the mixed methods appraisal tool, and 14 articles were included.

Results: The findings highlight that successful relationships require therapeutic communication, trust, respect, partnership, and shared decision-making. Supportive relationships improve women's satisfaction and birth outcomes, and continuity of care model is an enabling factor. Further research is required to understand supportive relationships in non-continuity of care models and when different cultural backgrounds exist.