Holistic perinatal care during intimate examinations: An integrative review

Abstract

Background: Intimate examinations are vital in midwifery, but without proper care and communication, they can cause distress, especially for first-time pregnant women. A holistic approach that addresses physical, emotional, social, psychological and spiritual needs is essential for ensuring comprehensive and compassionate care.
Aim: To review existing literature on holistic perinatal care during intimate examinations.
Method: An integrative review was conducted across relevant databases, which included Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Elton Bryson Stephens Company (EBSCO) host to identify original research articles published in English between 2014 and 2024. In total, 67 articles which met the inclusion criteria were reviewed: 32 were international, 30 were from sub-Saharan Africa and 5 were from South Africa.
Results: This study highlights two key aspects of holistic perinatal care during intimate examinations: biological and psychosocial. These aspects include health education, informed consent, decision-making involvement, emotional support, communication, counselling, social support, cultural competence and infection prevention to enhance women-centred care.
Conclusion: Most studies focus on pregnancy-related interventions rather than holistic perinatal care during intimate examinations, and there are no maternity guidelines for such examinations in Africa. This review highlights the need for further research and outlines the biological, psychosocial and ethical considerations for improving perinatal care.
Contribution: This study highlights the importance of holistic perinatal care during intimate examinations, emphasising biological, psychological and social aspects to enhance women’s experiences. It identifies gaps in maternity guidelines, particularly in Africa, and calls for further research to ensure comprehensive, women-centred care.