Factors that affect the traumatic childbirth perceptions of midwifery and nursing students: The case of Turkey

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Birth is a natural and joyful situation as well as a process that contains surprise situations that do not go well. Caregivers at birth are affected by this process. Especially when faced with difficult births, it can have an intense psychological effect and a perception of traumatic birth can occur. Although there is research about midwives on this subject, there are very few studies about students who are becoming midwives. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that affect the traumatic childbirth perceptions of midwifery and nursing students. METHODS The study was carried out with 480 students of midwifery and nursing. The data were collected by using a Personal Information Form, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Self-Efficacy Scale, Traumatic Childbirth Perception Scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. RESULTS The traumatic childbirth perception levels were very low in 7.3% of the participants, low in 26.9%, moderate in 37.9%, high in 21.5% and very high in 6.9%. The regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between traumatic childbirth perceptions and the parameters of satisfaction with the department studied, fear of childbirth, defining childbirth as a difficult and painful process, and history of complicated birth in the family. There was also a significant relationship between traumatic childbirth perceptions and the parameters of trait anxiety and general self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS Traumatic childbirth perceptions increased as the state and trait anxiety levels and self-esteem levels increased, while they decreased as the self-efficacy levels increased.

Midwifery Students’ Traumatic Childbirth Experiences, Traumatic Childbirth Perceptions, and Levels of Fear of Childbirth

“…The traumatic childbirth perception levels of those who had a fear of childbirth and defined childbirth as a difficult and painful process were significantly higher than those who did not. 15 Although Toohill et al found no significant relationship between professional exposure to traumatic childbirth events and high levels of childbirth fear in Australian midwives, it is noteworthy that 90% of those with high levels of fear of childbirth indicated they had experienced trauma in their work. 7 The traumatic childbirth experience of the midwife may increase their fear of childbirth.…”

“…Similarly, Aslantekin-Özçoban et al found that midwifery and nursing students had a moderate level of traumatic childbirth perception (mean, 64.26). 15 The most common traumatic events witnessed by students at childbirth were social or emotional: the woman's inability to cope with childbirth, use of verbal violence against the woman by health care professionals, and lack of emotional support to the woman by health care professionals. Physical traumas, such as maternal death, maternal resuscitation, and the dropping of the newborn, were found to be much less common.…”

“…Midwifery students may be more vulnerable to trauma because of their status as a learner 14 . However, studies conducted with midwifery students who had such experiences, and who are a more vulnerable group, are quite limited 14–17 . In a study with 370 midwifery students in Turkey, Bayri Bingol et al found that more than half of the midwifery students witnessed a traumatic event at childbirth and that 20% of the participants perceived the labor room as a dangerous place 16 .…”

“…Furthermore, the traumatic childbirth perception was higher in participants that had fear of childbirth and described their experiences as tough and painful. 15 In a study of 11 midwifery students in England, participants stated that they were overwhelmed by the responsibility of certain tasks, felt unprepared for how a "normal-looking" birth can turn into a complicated ✦ Midwifery students witness a high rate of traumatic events at childbirth. ✦ Midwifery students have a moderate level of perception of traumatic childbirth and a moderate level of fear of childbirth.…”

“…In another study in Turkey, 480 midwifery and nursing students had a moderate level of perception of traumatic childbirth. Furthermore, the traumatic childbirth perception was higher in participants that had fear of childbirth and described their experiences as tough and painful 15 . In a study of 11 midwifery students in England, participants stated that they were overwhelmed by the responsibility of certain tasks, felt unprepared for how a “normal‐looking” birth can turn into a complicated one, and questioned their capacity to manage the emotional requirements of their role 14 …”