Midwifery Care: Reflections of Midwifery Clients

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of midwifery clients throughout the life span. A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was employed. In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 12 midwifery clients. The research question was: What has been your experience with midwifery care? Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data saturation was achieved and analysis procedures from Colaizzi were used. Five themes emerged from the data: 1) decision to seek midwifery care; 2) working together in a therapeutic alliance; 3) formulating a birth plan; 4) childbirth education; and 5) nurse-midwives as primary health-care providers throughout the life span. There is much to learn from listening to the voices of midwifery clients.

Determinants of satisfactory facility-based care for women during childbirth in Kumasi, Ghana

“…Participants in this study wanted forms of support that build their confidence in their ability to go through the process of labor and also to manage their pain. Our findings concur with those other researchers who found that failure to include women directly in decision-making processes and refusing to make and maintain eye contact during conversation or examination decreased women's self-confidence and their satisfaction with care (Crissman et al, 2012;Morad et al, 2013;Doherty, 2010). Women in this study desired to be involved in the care process in order to ensure safe delivery, and this led to satisfaction with childbirth care.…”

“…It was noted that having a familiar caregiver strengthened the relationship between the women and the midwives and made it possible to plan successfully for the future. This is supported by evidence that women desire predictability of provider during their pregnancy and childbirth care, and that women need to maintain client/midwife relationships (Doherty, 2010). This finding echoes the findings of other researchers who reported that having different care providers can lead to the dissatisfaction of women (Goberna-Tricasa et al, 2011).…”

Implications for nurse managers arising from immigrant women’s experience of midwifery care in a hospital

“…In order to provide culturally congruent care, the nurse/midwife must show understanding of various factors that influence individual health and ill‐health behaviours (Doherty 2010). Hill et al.…”

The Impact of Choice and Control on Women’s Childbirth Experiences

“…Birth plans generally include information such as where a woman wishes to give birth, who will attend a birth, and what forms of medical intervention and pain relief will be used. The birth plan is a tool that outlines a woman's expectations for her birth and can open communication between a woman and her care providers, providing the woman with knowledge prior to giving birth (Doherty, 2010;Kuo et al, 2010;Pennell, Salo-Coombs, Herring, Spielman, & Fecho, 2011). There may also be negative outcomes of developing The birth of a child is a pivotal time in the life of a mother and her family.…”

“…For the purposes of this study, we defined a woman's "care team" or "support team" as all individuals who assist with planning and giving birth, including obstetricians, midwives, nurses, doulas, friends, family members, and the woman's partner, all of whom may shape a woman's thinking about planning a birth. The literature suggests that there is a constant negotiation of expectations and desires for the birth between a woman and her support team (Doherty, 2010). During both the development and implementation of the birth plan, women must negotiate their expectations and make health decisions with their care providers.…”