The emotional journey of labour—Women's perspectives of the experience of labour moving towards birth

Dixon, Lesley; Skinner, Joan; Foureur, Maralyn

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2013.03.009

Cited by 39 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The instinctive behaviour of women in labour was highlighted in this study and how it impacts on their experiences during labour and also their memories of labour in the few weeks afterwards. Getting into the zone is a well-known phenomenon [ 36 , 37 ] but this study also demonstrated how after the birth women became aware of the need to fit missing pieces of the jigsaw and fill gaps in their memory. This WA study confirms the value of revisiting the birth through a conversation afterwards [ 38 ] but also that it should always take place with reference to the woman’s medical record in order to enlighten the woman accurately and ideally with the midwife who looked after her in labour.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

Women’s experience of intrapartum transfer from a Western Australian birth centre co-located to a tertiary maternity hospital

Kuliukas

Duggan

Lewis

et al. 2016

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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BackgroundThe aim of this Western Australian study was to describe the overall labour and birth experience of women who were transferred during the first and second stages of labour from a low risk woman-centred, midwifery-led birth centre to a co-located tertiary maternity referral hospital.MethodsUsing a descriptive phenomenological design, fifteen women were interviewed up to 8 weeks post birth (July to October, 2013) to explore their experience of the intrapartum transfer. Giorgi’s method of analysis was used.ResultsThe following themes and subthemes emerged: 1) The midwife’s voice with subthemes, a) The calming effect and b) Speaking up on my behalf; 2) In the zone with subthemes, a) Hanging in there and b) Post birth rationalizing; 3) Best of both worlds with subthemes a) The feeling of relief on transfer to tertiary birth suite and b) Returning back to the comfort and familiarity of the birth centre; 4) Lost sense of self; and 5) Lost birth dream with subthemes a) Narrowing of options and b) Feeling of panic. Women found the midwife’s voice guided them through the transfer experience and were appreciative of continuity of care. There was a sense of disruption to expectations and disappointment in not achieving the labour and birth they had anticipated. There was however appreciation that the referral facility was nearby and experts were close at hand. The focus of care altered from woman to fetus, making women feel diminished. Women were glad to return to the familiar birth centre after the birth with the opportunity to talk through and fully understand their labour journey which helped them contextualise the transfer as one part of the whole experience.ConclusionsFindings can inform midwives of the value of a continuity of care model within a birth centre, allowing women both familiarity and peace of mind. Maternity care providers should ensure that the woman remains the focus of care after transfer and understand the significance of effective communication to ensure women are included in all care discussions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

Women’s experience of intrapartum transfer from a Western Australian birth centre co-located to a tertiary maternity hospital

Kuliukas

Duggan

Lewis

et al. 2016

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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“…It is questionable that women experience specific stages or phases as traditionally described by professionals. 22 Understanding the psychological experience in physiological childbirth can contribute to enhancing a salutogenic approach to health and can contribute to the promotion of healthy, happy family relationships in the longer term.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women’s psychological experiences of physiological childbirth: a meta-synthesis

et al. 2018

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ObjectiveTo synthesise qualitative studies on women’s psychological experiences of physiological childbirth.DesignMeta-synthesis.MethodsStudies exploring women’s psychological experiences of physiological birth using qualitative methods were eligible. The research group searched the following databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, SocINDEX and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection. We contacted the key authors searched reference lists of the collected articles. Quality assessment was done independently using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Studies were synthesised using techniques of meta-ethnography.ResultsEight studies involving 94 women were included. Three third order interpretations were identified: ‘maintaining self-confidence in early labour’, ‘withdrawing within as labour intensifies’ and ‘the uniqueness of the birth experience’. Using the first, second and third order interpretations, a line of argument developed that demonstrated ‘the empowering journey of giving birth’ encompassing the various emotions, thoughts and behaviours that women experience during birth.ConclusionGiving birth physiologically is an intense and transformative psychological experience that generates a sense of empowerment. The benefits of this process can be maximised through physical, emotional and social support for women, enhancing their belief in their ability to birth and not disturbing physiology unless it is necessary. Healthcare professionals need to take cognisance of the empowering effects of the psychological experience of physiological childbirth. Further research to validate the results from this study is necessary.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016037072.

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“…Dixon, Skinner, and Foureur ( 2014 ) concluded that it seems as if women have an inherent need to move to a safe place during the labour process. In the first study included here the women chose to move to the delivery ward during early labour.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Being in a safe and thus secure place, the core of early labour: A secondary analysis in a Swedish context

Carlsson

2016

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well

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BackgroundEarly labour is the very first phase of the labour process and is considered to be a period of time when no professional attendance is needed. However there is a high frequency of women who seek care at the delivery wards during this phase. When a woman is admitted to the delivery ward, one role for midwives is to determine whether the woman is in established labour or not. If the woman is assessed as being in early labour she will probably then be advised to return home. This recommendation is made due to past research that found that the longer a woman is in hospital the higher the risk for complications for her and her child. Women have described how this situation leaves them in a vulnerable situation where their preferences are not always met and where they are not always included in the decision-making process.AimThe aim of this study was to generate a theory based on where a woman chooses to be during the early labour process and to increase our understanding about how experiences can differ from place to place.MethodsThe method was a secondary analysis with grounded theory. The data used in the analysis was from two qualitative interview studies and 37 transcripts.ConclusionThe findings revealed a substantive theory that women needed to be in a safe and thus secure place during early labour. This theory also describes the interplay between how women ascribed their meaning of childbirth as either a natural live event or a medical one, how this influenced where they wanted to be during early labour, and how that chosen place influenced their experiences of labour and birth.

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The emotional journey of labour—Women's perspectives of the experience of labour moving towards birth

Cited by 39 publications

References 22 publications

Women’s experience of intrapartum transfer from a Western Australian birth centre co-located to a tertiary maternity hospital

Women’s experience of intrapartum transfer from a Western Australian birth centre co-located to a tertiary maternity hospital

Women’s psychological experiences of physiological childbirth: a meta-synthesis

Being in a safe and thus secure place, the core of early labour: A secondary analysis in a Swedish context

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