Woman's experience of the encounter with the midwife during childbirth
Practical application of Paterson and Zderad humanistic theory was demonstrated in a study carried out by Marie, Ingela, Evelyn and Vivian (1996) was to demonstrate the experiences of women and their encounter with midwives during childbirth.
A Phenomenological study was carried out on eighteen women six of whom were first time mothers and twelve of the women have had two to four babies previously and who could speak Sweden fluently. These women were selected based on the fact that they had normal deliveries in the same hospital. It is expected that each midwife will provide a personalized care and be able to interact with their patients effectively during deliveries. As a result of modernization of the delivery process most deliveries now are institutionalized making women more prone to neglect as a result of lack of effective communication (Marie at el.,(1996).
The science of nursing has its foundation in the humanistic approach; it looks at each individual as being different and with the ability to make their own decision or choices under any circumstances. Paterson and Zderad (1976) narrate humanistic nursing practise in this encounter, it states that “nursing is an experience lived between human beings, it is a lived human dialogue, a nurturing, inter-subjective transaction in which there is real sharing which involves both a mode of being and doing”.
The study of phenomenological method allows for deep dialogue between the women giving birth and the midwife, it also allows for effective description of the lived experiences from the standpoint of those individuals who had the experience. The study involves conducting a one on one interview with these women who were encouraged to narrate their delivery experiences vividly and their encounter with the midwife. The interview lasted for 45-75 minutes and the question asked was that “Can you tell me about the encounter with the midwife /midwives during delivery?
Data Analysis
The interviews were analysed based on the phenomenological approach and essential structure were then formulated.
Findings from the study were organized in three different themes;
· To be seen as an individual was expressed as being treated with respect and seen for oneself.
· To have a trusting relationship was attributed to the mid-wife’s character, professional knowledge and proficiency as well as the women’s feeling of security. The important words to note here are friendliness, openness, safety, interpersonal congruity, intuition and availability.
· To be supported and guided on the patient’s preferences expresses their need for participation in their delivery which may include listening to their innermost feelings and to be given time. But most of all the presence of the midwife was seen as the main theme so the essential structure could be summarized as presence.
The lessons learnt from the findings; is that knowledge about the relationship that exists between the women and the midwife is acquired over the years; it is a tacit knowledge embedded in practice.
Paterson and Zderad suggest that the nurse should always thinks about her relationship with her patients and analyzed them in the light of previous 'I-Thou relations'.
Analysis of the study of the birthing experience facilitated by a midwife for 18 women revealed that a presence is required for a positive interaction to take place between woman and midwife. Presence permeates the three basic themes of the encounter: to be seen as an individual, to have a trusting relationship and to be supported and guided on one's own terms.
The implication for practice: the need to be seen as individual can be realized by emotional support and association with the midwife and surroundings. A trusting relationship can be achieved by effective communication and proficient behaviour. By providing a sense of control the women can be supported and guided on their own terms. most importantly they must feel that the midwife is present (Marie et al.,)
References
Berg, M.,Lundgren,I.,Hermansson, E and Wahlberg, V. (1996) Woman’s experience of the encounter with the midwife during childbirth, Midwifery-March 1996 (vol.12,issue1,pages 11-15,Doi:10.1016/S0266-6138(96)90033-9)
PatersonJ.G.and Zderad L.T.(1976) Humanistic nursing resaerch,Wiley,New York
Practical application of Paterson and Zderad humanistic theory was demonstrated in a study carried out by Marie, Ingela, Evelyn and Vivian (1996) was to demonstrate the experiences of women and their encounter with midwives during childbirth.
A Phenomenological study was carried out on eighteen women six of whom were first time mothers and twelve of the women have had two to four babies previously and who could speak Sweden fluently. These women were selected based on the fact that they had normal deliveries in the same hospital. It is expected that each midwife will provide a personalized care and be able to interact with their patients effectively during deliveries. As a result of modernization of the delivery process most deliveries now are institutionalized making women more prone to neglect as a result of lack of effective communication (Marie at el.,(1996).
The science of nursing has its foundation in the humanistic approach; it looks at each individual as being different and with the ability to make their own decision or choices under any circumstances. Paterson and Zderad (1976) narrate humanistic nursing practise in this encounter, it states that “nursing is an experience lived between human beings, it is a lived human dialogue, a nurturing, inter-subjective transaction in which there is real sharing which involves both a mode of being and doing”.
The study of phenomenological method allows for deep dialogue between the women giving birth and the midwife, it also allows for effective description of the lived experiences from the standpoint of those individuals who had the experience. The study involves conducting a one on one interview with these women who were encouraged to narrate their delivery experiences vividly and their encounter with the midwife. The interview lasted for 45-75 minutes and the question asked was that “Can you tell me about the encounter with the midwife /midwives during delivery?
Data Analysis
The interviews were analysed based on the phenomenological approach and essential structure were then formulated.
Findings from the study were organized in three different themes;
· To be seen as an individual was expressed as being treated with respect and seen for oneself.
· To have a trusting relationship was attributed to the mid-wife’s character, professional knowledge and proficiency as well as the women’s feeling of security. The important words to note here are friendliness, openness, safety, interpersonal congruity, intuition and availability.
· To be supported and guided on the patient’s preferences expresses their need for participation in their delivery which may include listening to their innermost feelings and to be given time. But most of all the presence of the midwife was seen as the main theme so the essential structure could be summarized as presence.
The lessons learnt from the findings; is that knowledge about the relationship that exists between the women and the midwife is acquired over the years; it is a tacit knowledge embedded in practice.
Paterson and Zderad suggest that the nurse should always thinks about her relationship with her patients and analyzed them in the light of previous 'I-Thou relations'.
Analysis of the study of the birthing experience facilitated by a midwife for 18 women revealed that a presence is required for a positive interaction to take place between woman and midwife. Presence permeates the three basic themes of the encounter: to be seen as an individual, to have a trusting relationship and to be supported and guided on one's own terms.
The implication for practice: the need to be seen as individual can be realized by emotional support and association with the midwife and surroundings. A trusting relationship can be achieved by effective communication and proficient behaviour. By providing a sense of control the women can be supported and guided on their own terms. most importantly they must feel that the midwife is present (Marie et al.,)
References
Berg, M.,Lundgren,I.,Hermansson, E and Wahlberg, V. (1996) Woman’s experience of the encounter with the midwife during childbirth, Midwifery-March 1996 (vol.12,issue1,pages 11-15,Doi:10.1016/S0266-6138(96)90033-9)
PatersonJ.G.and Zderad L.T.(1976) Humanistic nursing resaerch,Wiley,New York