COVID-19 can raise awareness at the country level and locally so that preventive measures can be taken and appropriate, respectful clinical and bereavement care can be provided if stillbirth or newborn death occurs.Reducing preventable stillbirths and newborn deaths must be a global priority. This goal requires not only sustained, universal access to quality maternal and newborn care, it also requires the data to track and guide public health action. COVID-19 control needs to be fully integrated into maternal, child, and newborn health care so that the two can coexist. All outcomes must be counted. Ensuring all women and babies receive the right care, at the right time, from the right people, and that all perinatal outcomes are counted and reported has never been more important than it is now.
Objective:The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of women about childbirth experiences at the birthing centers (BCs) in Karachi, Pakistan.Design:A qualitative descriptive exploratory approach was employed using semistructured interviews.Participants:A purposive sample of eight women who had used BCs was enrolled from each site.Findings:Five themes emerged from content analysis including: (a) satisfaction with BC, (b) provision of homely environment, (c) promotion of normalcy, (d) facilitation of family support, and (e) protection of privacy.Key Conclusions:Overall, the findings of the study revealed that women who used BCs were satisfied with the services and the environment provided to them by the midwives during the antenatal, intranatal, and postnatal periods. Most of the women appreciated the privacy offered at the BCs. They considered BCs as a safe, accessible, and affordable option for childbirth and encouraged others in the community to opt for it.Implications for Practice:The findings of this study may help to advocate for births at BCs and provide women-friendly maternity care, by giving choice and control to women during childbirth, providing comfort to women by using fewer medical interventions, and promoting normalcy by attending spontaneous vaginal delivery.
Acceptance of care interventions depends on congruence with one's sense of what is "right"--spiritually as well as physically. Viewing health and illness as unitary and planning care once the meaning people assign to health and illness is clearly understood is important for clinical practice.
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