A concept analysis of watchful waiting among providers caring for women in labour.

AIM This paper is a report of an analysis of the concept of watchful waiting. BACKGROUND Little is known about differences between the intrapartum care processes of midwives and physicians. In this time of growing rates of surgical birth outcomes, intrapartum care processes are a key area for research and improvement. Watchful waiting is a common care plan used by both midwives and physicians that involves the timing of interventions in labour. DESIGN Rodgers' Evolutionary Model was used to conduct a concept analysis of the term watchful waiting. DATA SOURCES Scientific literature authored by, and about, midwives and physicians, as located via an intrapartum-focused database search inclusive of years 1922-May 2012. Thirty English-language articles from nine different countries were located, representing the midwifery and physician scientific literature focusing on watchful waiting in labour and provider decision-making processes. REVIEW METHOD Attributes, consequences, antecedents and affecting themes were identified through a thematic analysis of the identified articles. RESULTS Data analysis reveals that many midwives and physicians define watchful waiting differently, based on their philosophies of care. CONCLUSION The care of women in labour is complicated as a result of different understandings by some providers of common processes of intrapartum care.