scholarly journals Women’s experiences of perceived traumatic vaginal birth in Australian maternity settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Arimaya Yates ◽  
Linda Katherine Jones ◽  
Merv Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Professional Education ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Vaginal Birth ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Physiological Childbirth ◽  
Birthing Practices

Objective: Before the beginning of medicalisation in Australia during the 1950s, childbirth was the sole domain of women. Contemporary birthing practices have posed a more medicalised technological environment on women resulting in both good and bad outcomes. In recent surveys, 45.5% of Australian women reported experiencing birth as traumatic; with nearly 20% experiencing postnatal depression. While there have been some studies on women’s trauma experiencing a caesarean section, minimal research has been completed into perceived traumatic experiences related to normal vaginal births.Methods: This study utilized a qualitative methodology to explore psychological and emotional impact of women’s experiences with perceived traumatic normal births. The research used an in-depth semi-structured interview and analysed the data within the phenomenological paradigm. The data analysis revealed nine themes: I was determined to birth naturally; Not telling me what they were doing; I just had to force her to be born; it was really horrific; I know that is just what the system is like. . . they’re hospital midwives. . . they’re medical; I didn’t feel connected to them; She stood up for me; After the birth, just horrible; I deserve a better birth.Results: Although the rates are unclear, these findings highlight that some women suffer trauma from their experience of a normal vaginal birth. The perceived causes include: midwives not always being with women and supporting physiological childbirth; women not being fully informed; power asymmetries and hegemony inside the birthing room; and a fetocentric model of care that left women feeling disrespected, disempowered and objectified.Conclusions: The findings indicate a need for midwives to truly be with women and provide continuity of care, as well as supporting the physiological process of childbirth, medical and midwifery professional education on trauma awareness following birth, a rethinking of antenatal education programs to include coping strategies and greater midwifery support in the hospital post-natal stay.

Mothers’ Experiences of Wellbeing and Coping While Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Parton ◽  
Jane M. Ussher ◽  
Janette Perz
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Dependent Child ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽  
Letting Go ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can result in difficulties for mothers when undertaking daily care activities and increased psychological distress. However, few studies have examined how women with RA subjectively experience coping and wellbeing as part of their motherhood. Methods Twenty mothers with a diagnosis of RA and a dependent child (18 years or younger) who were living in Australia took part in a semi-structured interview between June and November 2017. Purposive sampling was undertaken to include participants across degree of current RA severity, number and age of children, and having received a diagnosis before or after a first child to take account of variability across these experiences. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on the interview transcripts. Results The following themes were identified: ‘Burden and complexity in the mothering role’, ‘Losing control: Women’s experiences of distress’, and ‘Adjusting and letting go: Women’s experiences of wellbeing’. Experiences of distress, including feelings of failure, were associated with accounts of a loss of control over mothering practices among women, regardless of child age. In contrast, accounts of adjusting mothering practices and relinquishing control were associated with reports of enhanced wellbeing. In addition, some mothers reported greater ease due to increased independence of older children. The absence of social support exacerbated burden and distress in the women’s accounts, while the availability of support alleviated burden and was associated with reports of wellbeing. Conclusion Health professionals and services can provide support to mothers with RA by addressing feelings of failure, acknowledging strategies of adjustment and letting go, and encouraging access to social support.

scholarly journals The Cycle of Female Prisoner (Re)Integration: Pathways, criminal justice and imprisonment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Hannah Bentley
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Female Offender ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Female Prisoner ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
First Time ◽  
Gender Specific

<p>With increasing rates of female imprisonment, and female prisoner re-imprisonment rates of 33% for first time prisoners and 48% for recidivist prisoners within four years, women’s experiences of (re)integration are in need of examination. Issues of abuse, addiction, economic, social and political deprivation and poor education are not only seen to underpin women’s pathways into crime, but also the treatment of female offenders within a system that has redefined their welfare needs as risks. Using a feminist, qualitative methodology that provides often unheard women with a voice, semi-structured interviews were conducted with female ex-prisoners and those who work with women once released from prison. Interviews examined women’s experiences of release and the areas that contribute to successful or unsuccessful (re)integration. Findings reveal that support networks, release conditions, employment, accommodation and treatment services are key factors that either help or hinder women’s (re)integration. Consistent with literature on women’s (re)integration, interviews further revealed that female offender pathways are not addressed prior to, during, or after release from prison. To address such problems, this thesis argues that collaborative, holistic, gender-specific programmes, that are tailored to meet women’s daily needs and experiences, are required both within the community and prisons.</p>

scholarly journals Women’s experiences of the Odon Device to assist vaginal birth and participation in intrapartum research: a qualitative study in a maternity unit in the Southwest of England

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e057023
Author(s):  
Emily J Hotton ◽  
Natalie S Blencowe ◽  
Erik Lenguerrand ◽  
Tim J Draycott ◽  
Joanna F Crofts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Vaginal Birth ◽  
Maternity Unit ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Registration Number

ObjectiveTo investigate women’s experiences of having a birth assisted by the Odon Device (an innovative device for assisted vaginal birth) and participation in intrapartum research.DesignQualitative semistructured interviews and observations undertaken in the context of case study work embedded in the ASSIST feasibility study.SettingA tertiary referral National Health Service (NHS) maternity unit in the Southwest of England, between 8 October 2018 and 26 January 2019.ParticipantsEight women, four operators and 11 midwives participated with eight observations of the assisted vaginal birth, eight interviews with women in the postnatal period, 39 interviews/reflections with operators and 19 interviews with midwives. Women in the case study research were recruited from participants in the main ASSIST Study.InterventionThe Odon Device, an innovative device for assisted vaginal birth.ResultsThirty-nine case studies were undertaken. Triangulation of data sources (participant observation, interviews with women, operators and midwives) enabled the exploration of women’s experiences of the Odon Device and recruitment in the intrapartum trial. Experiences were overwhelmingly positive. Women were motivated to take part by a wish for a kinder birth, and because they perceived both the recruitment and research processes (including observation) to be highly acceptable, regardless of whether the Odon-assisted birth was successful or not.ConclusionsInterviews and observations from multiple stakeholders enabled insight into women’s experiences of an innovative device for assisted vaginal birth. Applying these qualitative methods more broadly may illuminate perspectives of key stakeholders in future intrapartum intervention research and beyond.Trial registration numberISRCTN10203171; ASSIST Study registration; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10203171.

scholarly journals Women's experiences of VBAC in Cyprus: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Hadjigeorgiou ◽  
Constantina Katsie ◽  
Maria Papadopoulou ◽  
Maria Dolores Christofi ◽  
Andri Christoforou
Keyword(s):  
Caesarean Section ◽  
Perinatal Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vaginal Birth ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Previous Caesarean Section ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract Background and aim In 21st century, there has been an increasing interest in vaginal birth after previous caesarean section (VBAC) in Cyprus, a country with a very high operative birth rate. Research-based evidence of women’s VBAC experiences in Cyprus is non-existent, despite its significance for the well-being of mothers and families. The aim of this study is to gain insight into the women’s lived experience of VBAC in Cyprus. In this study women’s experiences of VBAC are explored for the first time in Cyprus. Method The study is qualitative and exploratory in nature. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 women, who experienced vaginal birth after a previous caesarean section (VBAC) in Cyprus. A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed for the analysis of data. Results Analysis of data yielded four major themes: (a) medicalization of childbirth, (b) preparing for a VBAC, (c) birth environment, and (d) healing through VBAC. On the whole, the women interviewed described their previous experience of CS as traumatic, in contrast to vaginal childbirth. VBAC was considered an utterly positive experience that made the women feel empowered and proud of themselves. Conclusion This study offers valuable insight into a newly researched subject in Cyprus, which is necessary for advancing perinatal care in Cyprus. The findings indicate that women need evidence-based information, guidelines on birthing options, good preparation with tailored information and personalized care for a successful vaginal birth after a previous caesarean section. Proper, non-biased, consultations are a main factor that affects women’s choice of mode of birth. The introduction of new, women-friendly perinatal strategies that respect and promote childbirth rights is imperative in the case of Cyprus. All women have the right to exercise informed choice and the choice to alternative birthing options.

scholarly journals Online reported women’s experiences of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse after vaginal birth

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Mirskaya ◽  
Eva-Carin Lindgren ◽  
Ing-Marie Carlsson
Keyword(s):  
Pelvic Organ Prolapse ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Pelvic Organ ◽  
Vaginal Birth ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Fertile Women

Abstract Background Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a major public health problem with a relative high lifetime risk of surgery. The main risk factor for developing POP is vaginal birth. Many women become symptomatic later in life and most of the existing research on symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (sPOP) predominantly concentrates on the effects of the condition on postmenopausal women. However bothersome symptoms of POP can be reported as early as in women’s 20s and may occur shortly after vaginal birth. Limited studies provide an insight into daily life of fertile women with sPOP. Thus, we aimed to explore fertile women’s experiences of symptomatic pelvic organ (sPOP) after vaginal birth. Methods An inductive, text-driven approach was taken by selecting thread posts from an internet forum written by 33 Swedish fertile women who had experienced sPOP after vaginal birth. Results The overarching theme “being irreparably damaged” was identified as representing an experience of being disabled by sPOP after vaginal birth. The fertile women experienced that their lives were ruined because of physical and psychological limitations caused by this unexpected, unfamiliar and unexplained condition. Living with sPOP impinged on sexual health, restricted daily and sports activities and affected the women’s ability to fulfill everyday parental duties. This in turn compromised women’s psychological health. In addition, the negligence of healthcare professionals who tended to trivialize and normalize the symptoms led to the belief that there were no sustainable treatments and that women would have to live with bothersome symptoms of POP for rest of their lives. Conclusions This study found that sPOP had a significant negative impact on fertile women’s lives. The women indicated that they had not had the opportunity to voice their concerns and had not been taken seriously by healthcare professionals. It is of the utmost importance to acknowledge this problem and develop guidelines for prevention and management of sPOP to improve the quality of life for women.

scholarly journals Women’s experiences of planning a vaginal birth after caesarean in different models of maternity care in Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazel Keedle ◽  
Lilian Peters ◽  
Virginia Schmied ◽  
Elaine Burns ◽  
Warren Keedle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternity Care ◽  
Vaginal Birth ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Vaginal Birth After Caesarean

scholarly journals Women’s Lived Experience of Pregnancy and Child Birth: Narratives from Pakistan

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabia Ali ◽  
Ume Habiba ◽  
Hazir Ullah
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Working Women ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Work Family Conflict ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Pregnancy And Childbirth ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Intimate Relations ◽  
Work Family

In Pakistan there are unique socio-cultural factors that contribute to women’s experiences of pregnancy and childbirth. This study explores Pakistani women’s experiences of pregnancy and childbirth an area that remains under researched in the country. Qualitative research was employed for data collection by using an un-structured interview guide. The informants included twelve women who had recently been through the childbirth process for the first and second time. The collected data reveals that women were unaware of the use of multi vitamins during pregnancy. They delayed physical check-ups with a gynaecologist. Women encountered challenges at work during pregnancy and encountered work family conflict after childbirth. Support from intimate relations including husbands and in-laws were reported by the respondents. Attitude of colleagues at work was not always positive during pregnancy. The working women reported being overburdened at work. It is suggested that women friendly policies are required for working women giving birth. Facilities including rest rooms, medical centres need to be provided to the women at work. Women need to be educated about the importance of health care during pregnancy.

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