Childbirth-choice facilitation experiences among women in selected public healthcare facilities in Namibia

Mlambo, Sarah; Amukugo, Hans J.

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2023.103835

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 24 publications

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“…The methodology of the study was described to the respondents in detail and the validation of the coded data with the co-author ensured dependability as a way to increase the chances of replicability of the study in other settings. As an objective in the main study, triangulation was done with other data sets as well as with literature to extend the confidence of the study results thus addressing confirmability (25,29). In addition, verbatim extracts were used to ensure that the voices of midwives are heard with regard to their experiences in facilitating childbirth choices for positive postnatal mental health.…”

Section: Trustworthinessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facilitating childbirth choice for positive postnatal mental health well-being among women: a Namibian case study

Mlambo,

Amukugo

2024

Front. Glob. Womens Health

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Childbirth affects women in a myriad of ways including feelings of tiredness, being overwhelmed, stressed, and having baby blues, and if not attended to, this can lead to postpartum depression, which is a mental condition that can have disastrous effects. Childbirth can affect the mental and physical status of a woman and having supportive midwives who guide women by giving adequate information is an issue of critical concern for a positive birth experience. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has emphasised the need to facilitate childbirth choices for women as a means of having a safe and memorable experience as the experience in childbirth affects the psychological status of a woman. Some women may experience worry and anxiety during labour and childbirth, which may be exacerbated by bias and a lack of childbirth choice facilitation during pregnancy. A negative childbirth experience may lead to negative psychological distress and postpartum depression, which will interfere with the bond between the mother, baby, and family. Midwives, thus, need to understand the emotional aspects that are attached to childbirth and be able to facilitate and support the emotional as well as the psychosocial needs of women under their care. However, there is a dearth of empirical evidence within the Namibian context that can provide direction and context-specific solutions to the present challenge. The current study followed a qualitative research design with an exploratory approach with one-on-one interviews with 10 midwives who were purposively selected. The midwives' experiences in this study depicted their zeal towards the issue at hand; however, what stood out were some barriers in the facilitation of childbirth choices (theme 1) as they expressed the shortages of staff, the timing of information, information sharing, and cultural influences as some of their experiences in facilitating childbirth. Furthermore, midwives shared a lack of provision for childbirth choice (theme 2) as the rights of women were not observed, and a lack of women-centred care despite protocols and guidelines being there, and yet they are not adhered to. In conclusion, midwives as primary caregivers actively need to provide unbiased childbirth information to achieve positive postpartum health. Initiating childbirth choices early in pregnancy gives women the time to weigh options and clearing of any misconceptions relating to childbirth types as well as reducing anxiety and fear of birth, which could lead to postpartum depression and by extension, the mental well-being of the women. Facilitating childbirth choices is critical in positive birth experiences and the management of childbirth as well as crafting guidelines and policy formulation that ensure a mentally healthy woman and society.

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Section: Trustworthinessmentioning

confidence: 99%