2002 International International Biennial Scientific Meeting

'I FELT AS THOUGH I'D BEEN IN JAIL': WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES OF CARE DURING LABOUR AND BIRTH

Sarah R Baker*, Carol Henshaw** and Precilla YL Choi***

* Department of Psychology, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
** Keele University Department of Psychiatry, Academic Unit, Harplands Hospital, Stoke on Trent , UK
*** Department of Social Sciences, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, UK

s.r.baker@keele.ac.uk

Objectives: Research suggests that, in addition to meeting women's physical needs, the psychological and emotional care received during labour and delivery are important factors in women's satisfaction with the childbirth process, and post-partum outcomes such as post-natal depression. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore women's intra-partum experiences in order to capture and describe individual users' perceptions of maternity care.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-four women recruited from a community study exploring the relationship between blues and post-natal depression. The sample included both primiparous and multiparous women. Thematic analysis was employed to identify key issues arising from women's accounts of their experiences.

Results: The common themes emerging from the preliminary analysis of women's accounts included choice, information provision, resources and continuity of care, and attitudes and behaviour of maternity staff. Many of these themes were identified throughout the various stages of the childbirth process, from hospital entry, in the delivery suite, on the maternity ward, and specifically in relation to breastfeeding. Often, the themes did not have clear boundaries but were interlinked, thus many women described negative experiences within one or more of the themes. Such experiences were often linked to negative feelings such as fear, anger, disappointment, distress, guilt, and inadequacy.

Conclusions: Issues relating to women's emotional and psychological needs during childbirth are discussed in the light of the results, and implications for maternity care are considered.