Associate Professor Lauren Kearney
Head of Discipline, Midwifery
Conjoint Associate Professor
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work
Researcher biography
Associate Professor Lauren Kearney is a registered midwife and nurse and is employed as a Conjoint Associate Professor in Midwifery between the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, UQ and the Women's and Newborn Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. Lauren's teaching expertise is within the postgraduate and higher degree by research areas. Her research track record is strongly focused upon maternal and child health; specifically, within the domains of evaluation of models of care (relating to the perinatal period and early years), intravenous fluid management and access during labour and birth, and facilitators to promote a positive and physiological spontaneous vaginal birth. She is also committed to enhancing women's opportunity to breastfeed and thrive in the postpartum period. Lauren has strong industry collaborations. The recipient of several competitive research grants, Lauren is passionate about improving the experience of health care for women and children through translation of high-quality evidence into practice.
Journal Articles
Lai, Ms Yee Kay, Wong, Ms Michelle, Kearney, Lauren and Lee, Nigel (2024). The effect of antenatal hypnosis training on pharmacological analgesia use during labour and birth: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Midwifery, 137 104113, 104113. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.104113
Shipton, Emma V., Kearney, Lauren, Delaney, Lori and Kilgour, Catherine (2024). Midwifery and nursing honours programs in Australia and New Zealand: a scoping review of contemporary challenges and opportunities. Women and Birth, 37 (5) 101641, 101641. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101641
Meloncelli, Nina, O'Connor, Hannah, de Jersey, Susan, Rushton, Alita, Pateman, Kelsey, Gallaher, Samantha, Kearney, Lauren and Wilkinson, Shelley (2024). Designing a behaviour change intervention using COM-B and the Behaviour Change Wheel: Co-designing the Healthy Gut Diet for preventing gestational diabetes. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 37 (6), 1391-1406. doi: 10.1111/jhn.13355
Chamorro-Koc, Marianella, Gomez, Rafael, Wannenburg, Erina, Byram, Isabel, Thomas, Clare, Kearney, Lauren, Clark, Julia and Atkins, Heidi (2024). Beyond safety: A design examination of facial PPE in paediatric wards. Design Studies, 93-94 101265, 101265. doi: 10.1016/j.destud.2024.101265
Meyer, Holly, Lee, Nigel, George, Kendall and Kearney, Lauren (2024). Factors influencing midwives’ intentions to facilitate normal physiological birth: A qualitative study. Women and Birth, 37 (4) 101617, 101617. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101617
Pervin, Sonia, Kearney, Lauren, Giudice, Sonita, Holzapfel, Sherry, Denaro, Tara, Dyer, Jodi, Cole, Phillipa E and Callaway, Leonie (2024). Being a First Nations baby is not independently associated with low birthweight in a large metropolitan health service. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13843
Kearney, Lauren, Brady, Susannah, Marsh, Nicole, Davies‐Tuck, Miranda, Nugent, Rachael and Eley, Victoria (2024). The effects of intravenous hydration regimens in nulliparous women undergoing induction of labor: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 103 (7), 1254-1262. doi: 10.1111/aogs.14793
Lai, Melissa M., August, Deanne, Sharfuddin, Zoya, Palmer-Field, Kristina, Johnston, Louise, Main, Elizabeth, Smith, Patricia, Kilgour, Catherine M. and Kearney, Lauren (2024). Outcomes and perspectives of woman-newborn dyads following discharge from a quaternary maternity service in Australia: a cross-sectional survey. Women and Birth, 37 (1), 248-256. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.10.007
Meloncelli, Nina, Wilkinson, Shelley A., Rushton, Alita, Pateman, Kelsey, Gallaher, Sam, O'Connor, Hannah, Kearney, Lauren and de Jersey, Susan (2024). Co-designing The Healthy Gut Diet for Preventing Gestational Diabetes: Co-design methods and process outcomes. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 37 (5), 1231-1244. doi: 10.1111/jhn.13341
Cole, Roni, Kearney, Lauren, Jenkinson, Bec, Kettle, Imogen, Ng, Beng, Callaway, Leonie and Nugent, Rachael (2024). Partnering with consumers and practising clinicians to establish research priorities for public hospital maternity services. Australian Health Review, 48 (3), 321-331. doi: 10.1071/ah23222
Meloncelli, Nina, O’Connor, Hannah, Wilkinson, Shelley A., Nitert, Marloes Dekker, Kearney, Lauren and de Jersey, Susan (2023). Preventing gestational diabetes with a Healthy Gut Diet: Protocol for a pilot, feasibility randomized controlled trial. Nutrients, 15 (21) 4653, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/nu15214653
Kearney, Lauren, Craswell, Alison, Dick, Nellie, Massey, Debbie and Nugent, Rachael (2023). Evidence-based guidelines for intrapartum maternal hydration assessment and management: A scoping review. Birth, 51 (2), 253-263. doi: 10.1111/birt.12773
Cole, Roni, Kearney, Lauren, Amarrador, Amanda, Downer, Terri, Halsall, Rebecca, Davison, Michelle and Thomas, Clare (2023). Using Web-based Training and Low-fidelity Simulation to Provide Education and Support to Emergency Nurses Undertaking Non-Urgent Paediatric Inter-Hospital Transfers. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 83 101435, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ecns.2023.101435
Kearney, Lauren, Nugent, Rachael, Maher, Jane, Shipstone, Rebecca, Thompson, John MD, Boulton, Rachel, George, Kendall, Robins, Anna and Bogossian, Fiona (2023). Factors associated with spontaneous vaginal birth in nulliparous women: A descriptive systematic review. Women and Birth, 37 (1), 63-78. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.08.009
Kearney, Lauren, Craswell, Alison, Cole, Roni, Hadland, Mariann, Smyth, Wendy and Nagle, Cate (2023). Woman-centred care and integrated electronic medical records within Australian maternity settings: point prevalence audit and observational study. Midwifery, 123 103718, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103718
Lee, Nigel, Hawley, Glenda, Morris, Jessica and Kearney, Lauren (2023). Perineal repair performed by midwives in Australia: A cross-sectional survey study of education and practice. Women and Birth, 37 (1), 153-158. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.08.001
Elks, Michelle, Young, Jeanine, Kearney, Lauren and Bernard, Anne (2023). The impact of an autonomous nurse‐led high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen protocol on clinical outcomes of infants with bronchiolitis. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 32 (15-16), 4719-4729. doi: 10.1111/jocn.16525
Downer, Terri, Halsall, Rebecca, Cole, Roni, Thomas, Clare and Kearney, Lauren (2023). Nonurgent pediatric interhospital transfers: a narrative enquiry of nurses’ experiences in Australia. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 49 (4), 564-573.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jen.2022.12.007
Hopkinson, Deyna, Gray, Michelle, George, Kendall and Kearney, Lauren (2023). Nurturing our new midwives: A qualitative enquiry of mentor's experiences of supporting new graduate midwives working in continuity of care models. Women and Birth, 36 (4), 357-366. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2022.12.003
Nugent, Rachael, Wee, Amanda, Kearney, Lauren and de Costa, Caroline (2023). The effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure for treating obstructive sleep apnoea in pregnancy: a systematic review. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 63 (3), 290-300. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13654
Lee, Nigel, Kearney, Lauren, Shipton, Emma, Hawley, Glenda, Winters-Chang, Peta, Kilgour, Catherine, Brady, Susannah, Peacock, Ann, Anderson, Loretta and Humphrey, Tracy (2023). Consent during labour and birth as observed by midwifery students: a mixed methods study. Women and Birth, 36 (6), e574-e581. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.02.005
Kearney, Lauren, Cummins, Allison, O'Connell, Maeve and Sweet, Linda (2023). Mastering the art of responding to peer review. Women and Birth, 37 (2), 257-258. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.08.002
Atchan, Marjorie, Graham, Kristen, Hartney, Nicki, Martis, Ruth, Kearney, Lauren, Davey, Kym, Daellenbach, Rea, Hall, Helen and Sweet, Linda (2022). Either ‘a blessing in disguise’, or ‘I couldn’t get help,’: Australian and Aotearoa NZ women’s experiences of early infant feeding during COVID-19. Women and Birth, 36 (3), e305-e313. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2022.11.003
Sweet, Linda, Muller, Amanda, Kearney, Lauren, Martis, Ruth, Hartney, Nicki, Davey, Kym, Daellenbach, Rea, Hall, Helen and Atchan, Marjorie (2022). Predictors and impact of women's breastfeeding self-efficacy and postnatal care in the context of a pandemic in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Midwifery, 114 103462, 103462. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2022.103462
Hopkinson, Deyna, Kearney, Lauren, Gray, Michelle and George, Kendall (2022). New graduate midwives’ transition to practice: a scoping review. Midwifery, 111 103337, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2022.103337
Seed, Emma, Kearney, Lauren, Weaver, Edward, Ryan, Elizabeth G. and Nugent, Rachael (2022). A prospective cohort study comparing neonatal outcomes of waterbirth and land birth in an Australian tertiary maternity unit. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 63 (1), 59-65. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13555
Cole, Roni, Young, Jeanine, Kearney, Lauren and Thompson, John M. D. (2022). Infant care practices, caregiver awareness of safe sleep advice and barriers to implementation: a scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (13) 7712, 1-26. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19137712
Peberdy, Lisa, Young, Jeanine, Massey, Debbie and Kearney, Lauren (2022). Integrated review of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of maternity health care professionals concerning umbilical cord clamping. Birth, 49 (4), 1-21. doi: 10.1111/birt.12647
Simmons, Kira, Meloncelli, Nina, Kearney, Lauren and Maher, Judith (2022). Low vegetable intake in pregnancy and associated maternal factors: a scoping review. Nutrition Research, 99, 78-97. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2021.12.004
Jenkinson, Bec, Kearney, Lauren, Kynn, Mary, Reed, Rachel, Nugent, Rachael, Toohill, Jocelyn and Bogossian, Fiona (2021). Validating a scale to measure respectful maternity care in Australia: challenges and recommendations. Midwifery, 103 103090, 103090. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2021.103090
Cole, Roni, Young, Jeanine, Kearney, Lauren and Thompson, John M. D. (2021). Challenges parents encounter when implementing infant safe sleep advice. Acta Paediatrica, 110 (11), 3083-3093. doi: 10.1111/apa.16040
Peberdy, Lisa, Young, Jeanine, Massey, Debbie and Kearney, Lauren (2021). Australian maternity healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes and practices relevant to cord blood banking, donation and clamp timing: A cross-sectional survey. Women and Birth, 34 (6), e584-e591. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2020.11.005
Kearney, Lauren, Craswell, Alison, Massey, Debbie, Marsh, Nicole, Nugent, Rachael, Alexander, Catherine, Smitheram, Carmel, McLoughlin, Anthea and Ullman, Amanda (2021). Peripheral intravenous catheter management in childbirth (PICMIC): a multi‐centre, prospective cohort study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77 (11) jan.14933, 4451-4458. doi: 10.1111/jan.14933
Cole, Roni, Young, Jeanine, Kearney, Lauren and Thompson, John M. D. (2021). Awareness of infant safe sleep messages and associated care practices: findings from an Australian cohort of families with young infants. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 5 (1) e000972, 1-8. doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000972
George, Kendall, Rowe, Jennifer, Barnes, Margaret and Kearney, Lauren (2021). The Parenting Premmies Support Program: designing and developing a mobile health intervention for mothers of preterm infants. Cogent Social Sciences, 7 (1) 1865617. doi: 10.1080/23311886.2020.1865617
Watkins, Leah, Kearney, Lauren, Kynn, Mary, Hodgman, Caitlin and Nugent, Rachael (2020). Implementation of a guideline of early administration of tranexamic acid for severe primary postpartum haemorrhage: a retrospective comparative study. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 61 (3), 354-359. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13282
Shipstone, Rebecca A., Young, Jeanine, Kearney, Lauren and Thompson, John M. D. (2020). Applying a social exclusion framework to explore the relationship between sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI) and social vulnerability. Frontiers in Public Health, 8 563573, 1-14. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.563573
Cole, Roni, Young, Jeanine, Kearney, Lauren and Thompson, John M.D. (2020). Priority setting: consensus for Australia's infant safe sleeping public health promotion programme: infant safe sleeping health campaign. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 57 (2) jpc.15178, 219-226. doi: 10.1111/jpc.15178
Peberdy, Lisa, Young, Jeanine, Massey, Debbie and Kearney, Lauren (2020). Maternity health professionals’ perspectives of cord clamp timing, cord blood banking and cord blood donation: a qualitative study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20 (1) 410, 410. doi: 10.1186/s12884-020-03102-8
Styles, Cathy, Kearney, Lauren and George, Kendall (2020). Implementation and upscaling of midwifery continuity of care: The experience of midwives and obstetricians. Women and Birth, 33 (4), 343-351. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2019.08.008
Shipstone, Rebecca A., Young, Jeanine, Kearney, Lauren and Thompson, John M. D. (2020). Prevalence of risk factors for sudden infant death among Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Australia. Acta Paediatrica, 109 (12), 2614-2626. doi: 10.1111/apa.15274
Esbati, Anahita, Taylor, Jane, Henderson, Amanda, Barnes, Margaret and Kearney, Lauren (2020). Perspectives about the baby friendly hospital/health initiative in Australia: an online survey. International Breastfeeding Journal, 15 (1) 23. doi: 10.1186/s13006-020-00266-z
Ryder, Rebecca, Kearney, Lauren, Kynn, Mary and Weaver, Edward (2020). Resilience and workplace stress in Australian and New Zealand obstetrics and gynaecology trainees: A cross-sectional survey. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 60 (2) ajo.13098, 225-230. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13098
Collis, Dianne, Kennedy‐Behr, Ann and Kearney, Lauren (2020). Supporting parents of children aged 2–13 with toileting difficulties: Group‐based workshops versus individual appointments. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 67 (2), 131-141. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12631
Cole, Roni, Young, Jeanine, Kearney, Lauren and Thompson, John M. D. (2020). Reducing sleep-related infant mortality through understanding factors associated with breastfeeding duration: a cross-sectional survey. Breastfeeding Review, 28 (1), 7-19.
Tennett, Debra, Kearney, Lauren and Kynn, Mary (2020). Access and outcomes of general practitioner obstetrician (rural generalist)‐supported birthing units in Queensland. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 28 (1), 42-50. doi: 10.1111/ajr.12593
Cole, Roni, Young, Jeanine, Kearney, Lauren and Thompson, John M. D. (2020). Infant care practices and parent uptake of safe sleep messages: a cross-sectional survey in Queensland, Australia. BMC Pediatrics, 20 (1) 27, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s12887-020-1917-5
Kearney, Lauren, Reed, Rachel, Kynn, Mary, Young, Jeanine and Davenport, Lisa (2019). Third stage of labour management practices: a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of Australian women and their associated outcomes. Midwifery, 75, 110-116. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2019.05.001
Reed, Rachel, Gabriel, Laura and Kearney, Lauren (2019). Birthing the placenta: Women's decisions and experiences. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 19 (1) 140. doi: 10.1186/s12884-019-2288-5
Collis, Dianne, Kennedy-Behr, Ann and Kearney, Lauren (2019). The impact of bowel and bladder problems on children's quality of life and their parents: A scoping review. Child: Care, Health and Development, 45 (1), 1-14. doi: 10.1111/cch.12620
Lindstrom, Hannah, Kearney, Lauren, Massey, Debbie, Godsall, Guy and Hogan, Emma (2018). How midwives manage rapid pre-loading of fluid in women prior to low dose epidurals: A retrospective chart review 在低剂量的硬膜外麻醉下,助产员如何处理孕妇体内液体的快速预压:回顾性图表审查. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 74 (11), 2588-2595. doi: 10.1111/jan.13783
Peberdy, Lisa, Young, Jeanine, Massey, Debbie Louise and Kearney, Lauren (2018). Parents' knowledge, awareness and attitudes of cord blood donation and banking options: an integrative review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 18 (1) 395, 1-21. doi: 10.1186/s12884-018-2024-6
O'Neill, Janelle, Reeks, Graham R. and Kearney, Lauren (2018). Can an interactive application be used to collect meaningful feedback from paediatric patients and their parents in a hospital setting?. Patient Experience Journal, 5 (2), 69-75. doi: 10.35680/2372-0247.1290
Kearney, Lauren, Kynn, Mary, Reed, Rachel, Davenport, Lisa, Young, Jeanine and Schafer, Keppel (2018). Identifying the risk: a prospective cohort study examining postpartum haemorrhage in a regional Australian health service. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 18 (1) 214, 214. doi: 10.1186/s12884-018-1852-8
Shipstone, Rebecca, Young, Jeanine and Kearney, Lauren (2017). New Frameworks for Understanding Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infancy (SUDI) in Socially Vulnerable Families. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 37, 35-41. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2017.06.022
Young, Jeanine, Watson, Karen, Craigie, Leanne, Cowan, Stephanie and Kearney, Lauren (2017). Uniting cultural practicies and safe sleep environments for vulnerable indigenous Australian infants. Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal, 24 (9), 37-37.
Kearney, Lauren, Kynn, Mary, Craswell, Alison and Reed, Rachel (2017). The relationship between midwife-led group-based versus conventional antenatal care and mode of birth: A matched cohort study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 17 (1) 39. doi: 10.1186/s12884-016-1216-1
Craswell, Alison, Kearney, Lauren and Reed, Rachel (2016). ‘Expecting and connecting’ group pregnancy care: Evaluation of a collaborative clinic. Women and Birth, 29 (5), 416-422. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2016.03.002
Peberdy, Lisa, Young, Jeanine and Kearney, Lauren (2016). Health care professionals' knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to umbilical cord blood banking and donation: an integrative review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 16 (1) 81. doi: 10.1186/s12884-016-0863-6
Kearney, Lauren and Fulbrook, Paul (2014). The first 18 months: Parental choices regarding their infant's health care needs. Neonatal, Paediatric and Child Health Nursing, 17 (3), 17-22.
Williams, Alison, Young, Jeanine, Kearney, Lauren and Keogh, Samantha (2013). Improving knowledge of breastfeeding management: A practice development intervention for paediatric nurses. Neonatal, Paediatric and Child Health Nursing, 16 (2), 8-14.
Kearney, Lauren and Fulbrook, Paul (2012). Open-access community child health clinics: The everyday experience of parents and child health nurses. Journal of Child Health Care, 16 (1), 5-14. doi: 10.1177/1367493511419874
Conference Papers
Khalesi, Helia, Jenkinson, Bec, Kearney, Lauren, Nugent, Rachael, Callaway, Leonie and Hill, Briony (2024). Using online photovoice to understand larger bodied women’s experience in Australian maternity care: A pilot study. ANZOS (Australian & New Zealand Obesity Society) Conference 2024, Sydney, NSW Australia, 16-18 October 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2024.09.121
Kearney, Lauren, Jenkinson, Bec, Hill, Briony, Griffiths, Ahlia and Callaway, Leonie (2024). Larger bodied women's experiences of maternity care: a national photo-voice study [RADIANT Study]. Australian College of Midwives National Conference - Moving Midwifery Forward, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 10 - 12 September 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101767
Meyer, Holly, Kearney, Lauren, Lee, Nigel and George, Kendall (2023). How the intentions of maternity care providers influence normal physiological birth. AMSTERDAM: ELSEVIER. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2023.07.051
Lee, Nigel, Kearney, Lauren, Brady, Susannah, Hawley, Glenda, Kilgour, Catherine, Peacock, Ann, Winters-Chang, Peta, Anderson, Loretta, Shipton, Emma and Humphrey, Tracy (2023). Consent during labour and birth as observed by midwifery students: A mixed methods study. 33rd International Confederation of Midwives ICM Triennial Congress, Bali, Indonesia, 11-14 June 2023.
Hawley, Glenda, Rickard, Claire, Hewer, Barbara, Marsh, Nicole, Ball, Daner, Schults, Jessica, Kearney, Lauren, Ciranni, Maggie and Winters-Chang, Peta (2023). Peripheral Intravascular Cannulation (PIVC) Project. 33rd ICM Triennial Congress, Bali, Indonesia, 11-14 May 2023.
Lee, Nigel, Kearney, Lauren, Brady, Susannah, Hawley, Glenda, Kilgour, Catherine, Peacock, Ann, Winters-Chang, Peta, Anderson, Loretta, Shipton, Emma and Humphrey, Tracy (2023). Consent during labour. Trans Tasman Midwifery Education Consortium, Canberra, ACT Australia, 30-31 March 2023.
Lai, M., August, D., Sharfuddin, Z., Johnston, L., Main, E., Palmer-Field, K., Smith, P., Kilgour, C. and Kearney, L. (2023). Discharge timing and postnatal programs, neonatal outcomes and maternal perspectives: a cross-sectional survey. Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 5-8 March 2023.
Craswell, Alison, Kearney, Lauren, McAtee, Jenni, Hadland, Mariann, Smyth, Wendy and Nagel, Cate (2021). Impact of electronic medical records within the maternity environment: An ethnographic exploration of midwifery practice. 15th International Congress in Nursing Informatics: Nurses and Midwives in the Digital Age, NI 2021, Virtual, 23 August - 2 September 2021. Amsterdam, Netherlands: IOS Press BV. doi: 10.3233/SHTI210788