Experiences of South African student midwives in following up on the care of a pregnant woman from pregnancy until 6 weeks after delivery

Abstract

Background. In the department of nursing at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, one of the requirements for students to complete their Bachelor of Nursing Science degree is to choose a pregnant woman and follow up on her care, through pregnancy, during birth and up to 6 weeks after delivery. Objective. To explore and describe student midwives' experiences in the follow-up of a woman through pregnancy, birth, postpartum and until 6 weeks after delivery. Methods. The research design was qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual. Purposive sampling was used, and 21 student midwives consented to be part of the study. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with the student midwives after they completed the follow-up project. These interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim by an independent transcribing service. Results. The findings in relation to the research question were synthesised under three themes: building relationships with the women; challenges associated with the follow-up experience; and positive aspects of this experience. Conclusion. The follow-up experience provided midwifery students with unique and important learning opportunities that they would not have experienced in standard or hospital-based clinical placements alone.