Sexual, Reproductive and Perinatal Health

The research environment is firmly rooted in the midwifery profession, with expertise also in nursing and neonatal nursing. Key areas of research include the experiences and needs of individuals and families, the organisation of care and healthcare environments, as well as professional conditions. Sexual and reproductive health and rights, together with equitable, person-centred and evidence-based care, are perspectives that run throughout the research.

Research is conducted in high-, middle- and low-income countries, in close collaboration with clinical services and researchers from different disciplines. The group has broad expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights

Research on sexual and reproductive health and rights addresses sexuality, reproductive health, access to knowledge and healthcare and people’s ability to make informed decisions about their own bodies and health. Equity and human rights are central perspectives, with particular attention to how factors such as migration, language, socioeconomic circumstances, gender and life circumstances can affect health and access to care.

Pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood

The research group studies pregnancy, childbirth and the transition to parenthood from the perspectives of women, partners and families, as well as healthcare professionals.

The research takes a broad approach to pregnancy and childbirth, including situations involving increased medical risk. Areas of study include experiences of childbirth, pain, fear of childbirth, induction of labour and health during pregnancy and after birth.

The neonatal period, neonatal care and the family

The neonatal perspective is an important part of the research environment, linking research on pregnancy and childbirth with the newborn infant’s first period of life and families’ experiences of care.

The research explores the experiences of parents and healthcare professionals in neonatal care and acute situations around the time of birth. Particular attention is given to family involvement, early contact between infants and parents and opportunities for bonding when care needs or acute events affect their first time together.

The research also addresses communication and relationships between families and healthcare professionals, as well as how family-centred care can be designed to support parents and families during the neonatal period.

Working environment, organisation and professional conditions

Part of the group’s research examines the conditions for working and providing care within women’s healthcare, antenatal care, maternity care and neonatal care.

The research addresses working environments and organisational conditions across different professions, including workload, job satisfaction, stress, burnout, moral distress and opportunities to provide care in accordance with professional and ethical principles.

A particular area of research concerns midwives’ working environment, professional role and autonomy, as well as the conditions that enable them to remain and develop within the profession.

By examining individual, professional and organisational factors, the research contributes knowledge about how sustainable working environments and healthcare organisations can be developed to create better conditions for high-quality care.

Healthcare environments and models of care

The group studies how physical and digital healthcare environments interact with human encounters, care practices and organisational conditions, and how these factors influence the delivery and experience of care. The research includes the development, implementation and evaluation of healthcare environments and models of care from person-centred and salutogenic perspectives.

Global sexual, reproductive and perinatal health

International research and collaboration form an integral part of the group’s work in sexual, reproductive and perinatal health. The research examines, among other areas, how education, professions and health and education systems can be developed to improve access to equitable, evidence-based and person-centred education and care in sexual, reproductive and perinatal health.

A particular focus is the development and implementation of the midwifery profession and midwife-led care, including education, leadership and the organisation of care according to local needs and circumstances.

The research is conducted through international collaborations with researchers, universities, healthcare services and other societal partners. These partnerships contribute to shared knowledge development and long-term capacity building.

Shared perspectives

The research places the individual at the centre and examines how sexual, reproductive and perinatal health and care are shaped by individual experiences, needs and resources in interaction with biological, psychological, social, cultural and organisational factors.

Person-centred care, health equity, human rights and respectful care are central principles. Salutogenic and lifeworld perspectives help draw attention to people’s own experiences, resources and conditions for health and well-being.

The research has a clear theoretical foundation. Theories and models relating to areas such as support, care and healthcare environments are used to understand people’s experiences and to develop and evaluate the content and organisation of care. Interdisciplinary, interprofessional and international collaborations broaden perspectives and strengthen the research.

Research centres 

Perinatal Research Obstetric Maternal Infant Studies Empowers, PROMISE

Centre for Person-centred Care, GPCC 

Organisation 

More research in Health and Care Sciences 

Institute of Health and Care Sciences

The Sahlgrenska academy