Aims of this study was to clarify the consultation needs of employed first pregnant women from their supervisors and health care professionals. A web survey was conducted with 450 employed first pregnant women. Respondents’ socio-economic status, and the contents of their consultations with supervisors and professionals were collected. The contents of consultations were analyzed via Berelson’s content analysis methodology. 242 working pregnant women had requested or have had consultations. Details of the consultations were classified into 12 categories and 45 subcategories, such as: “change of work contents and the reduction of workload in consideration of physical burden”, “adjustment of work style in consideration of physical burden”, “scheduling and handing over work responsibilities due to taking leave”, “coping with changing physical conditions and physical symptoms”, “the degree of availability for work”, etc. Standing, shift work, regular employment, and job position had distinctive needs. Details of consultations with supervisors were directly related to employment – such as work adjustments to maintain health and the use of social resources. Health care professionals should provide medical knowledge, and can easily consult on employment adjustments, lead to clarification of anxiety-producing factors.

This study investigated ways of providing midwifery care that includes remote birth attendance and explored related issues. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with midwives at facilities that have introduced remote birth attendance and subjected to qualitative and inductive analysis. Eight themes regarding midwifery care that accommodates remote birth attendance were identified. Six of these themes concerned the method of providing care that is devised by midwives, in particular encouragement of preparation for remote birth attendance in line with the woman’s wishes and remote involvement of the father in the birth. Two themes reflected problems recognized by midwives when providing care, namely the confusion caused by being away from the birth attendant and the harmful effects of absence of the attendant. These findings suggest that midwives must provide face-to-face care and remote care simultaneously and be aware of both the mother and the remote birth attendant so that both parties can benefit from remote attendance of childbirth along with education on preparation for childbirth. Furthermore, unexpected events can occur during childbirth, suggesting the importance of care during pregnancy.