Hazel Keedle, RN RM PhD

Biography:

Dr. Hazel Keedle is a Senior Lecturer of Midwifery and Director of Academic Midwifery Programs at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University. She has over two decades of experience as a clinician in nursing and midwifery, educator, and researcher. Her research interests are vaginal birth after cesarean, birth trauma, and maternity experiences, which she explores primarily using feminist mixed methodologies. Dr. Keedle's work is recognized nationally and internationally. 

She has made many invited conference and seminar presentations, and her research has been widely published in academic journals and books. She is the author of the book "Birth after Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth," which is based on her PhD findings. Dr. Keedle is also the lead researcher on the largest maternity experiences survey, The Birth Experience Study. In September 2022, she became the Editor in Chief of The Practicing Midwife Australia from All4Maternity. Dr Keedle is passionate about improving the experiences of women during childbirth. She is committed to using her research to advocate for women's rights and to ensure that all women have access to respectful, supportive maternity care.

Abstract: New Insights into Birth Plans: Research on Women's Experiences and Provider Engagement

This presentation will explore the broader impact of birth plans on women's maternity experiences, drawing insights from Australia’s largest maternity survey, the Birth Experience Study. It will examine how women navigate the process of developing and executing their birth plans, including their personal responses and the feedback from healthcare providers. Additionally, the presentation will highlight effective strategies for providers to support women in crafting and implementing their birth plans, aiming to enhance the overall birth experience and strengthen the collaborative relationship between women and their care teams.