RETRACTED: “From Hell to Healed” – A Qualitative Study on Women’s Experience of Recovery, Relationships and Sexuality after Severe Obstetric Perineal Injury

Abstract

Background: Few studies have investigated women’s experiences of daily life after childbirth complicated by obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI). The aim of the present study was to explore experiences related to recovery, sexual function, relationships and coping strategies among women affected by OASI. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted using a purposive sample of 11 women affected by OASI. Women were interviewed 1-2 years after their first childbirth. Inductive qualitative content analysis was applied.Results: The theme “From hell to healed” illustrates women’s experiences of recovery, relationships and sexual function after OASI. Three categories addressing women’s perceptions emerged: “Challenged to the core”, “At the mercy of the care provider” and “For better or for worse”. Support from partners and family and comprehensive care were important elements for the experiences of coping and healing from OASI. Elements that negatively influenced women’s experiences were the pain and physical symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, normalization of symptoms by heath care providers, and unrealistic expectations about how this period in life should be experienced.Conclusions: OASI greatly affects women’s experiences of their first years with their newborn child, relationships, social context and sexuality. For some women, OASI negatively affects everyday life for a long period after childbirth. However, others heal and cope quite quickly. Health care professionals need to identify and pay attention to women with persisting problems after OASI so that they can be directed to the right level of care.

Negotiating the ambiguity of an (in)authentic working life: a grounded theory study into severe perineal trauma

“…Further, in previous research, women experience insecurities regarding incontinence at work [19], similar to our participants, who described how internalised shame made them hide their condition. Other studies have also found institutionalised objectification [44][45][46], where healthcare professionals normalise persistent morbidities or question the legitimacy of symptoms. The long struggle for adequate healthcare depicted in our study is also supported by others [25,44,47].…”

“…Other studies have also found institutionalised objectification [44][45][46], where healthcare professionals normalise persistent morbidities or question the legitimacy of symptoms. The long struggle for adequate healthcare depicted in our study is also supported by others [25,44,47]. Hence, previous research shows almost solely adverse effects of SPT on working life.…”