Knowledge and attitudes of women towards companionship during labour and childbirth at midwife obstetric units
- Authors: Sogcwayi, Lulama Princess
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Childbirth -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Childbirth -- Psychological aspects , Neonatal nursing , Midwifery , Obstetrics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44023 , vital:37093
- Description: Companions provide support to women during the antenatal, labour, delivery and post-natal period. During labour and delivery women experience much pain as well as fear, tension and anxiety. Companionship during labour and childbirth can take the form of physical, emotional and psychological support provided by a loved one. Literature suggests that companionship during labour and delivery has a positive influence on women’s birth experiences and improves neonatal outcomes and breastfeeding. Despite the benefits of companionship, however, it is still found to be an uncommon practice in the midwife obstetric units (MOUs) in South Africa and elsewhere. The objectives of the study were to determine: the knowledge of women regarding companionship during labour and childbirth at MOU facilities in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD) and the attitudes of women towards companionship during labour and childbirth at MOU facilities in the NMBHD.bmake recommendations to the NMBHD and MOU managers in order to enhance the practice of companionship during labour and childbirth. Ethical approval and permission were obtained from the relevant authorities prior to commencement of data collection of the study. Convenience sampling was used to select women from the target population. The research design was quantitative and descriptive. Questionnaires were used to collect data from delivered women at the five MOUs in the NMBHD. Data was collected from 130 delivered women at the five MOUs in the NMBHD between 4th December and 31st December 2018. Descriptive statistical analyses were utilised to analyse the collected data. Most delivered women 65.4% at MOUs in the NMBHD indicated they had knowledge about companionship during labour and childbirth. Majority of women 77.6% perceived companionship during labour and childbirth to be of importance. Some women were not aware of the purpose of companions as most women 39.2% disagreed that companions shorten length of labour, 45.8% agreed that companions monitor the progress of labour, 32.3% agreed that companions conduct deliveries. Most women 77.7% disagreed that companions as unhelpful, 65.4% are disruptive and 81.6% are affected by culture. However, 46.2% of the women in the study had no companion present during labour and childbirth, 56.2% preferred the presence of a female companion. Conclusions were made based on the research findings, that there is a need to educate and increase awareness to women regarding companionship during labour and childbirth so that they are more knowledgeable, and in order to strengthen the practice of companionship. Recommendations were made for more educational programmes to be available in antenatal services to increase awareness and enhance knowledge of women about companionship during labour and childbirth. Health educators need to conduct seminars, regular in-service training and include the concept of companions in the curriculum for midwifery students. Policies should be made available in the MOUs regarding companions, brochures or leaflets should also be available and accessible in all languages for the community to enhance awareness on the benefits of having a companion. Maternity registers should include information about companions in order to monitor the practice of companionship at the MOUs.
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- Date Issued: 2019
Experiences of midwives caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth
- Authors: Dasi, Peggy
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Obstetrics , Midwives , Perinatal death -- Psychological aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCur
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/9000 , vital:26454
- Description: Midwives working in labour wards usually have the pleasure of delivering a live baby and rejoicing with the mother. However, the delivery could become tragic for the mothers and midwives when the baby dies at birth due to pregnancy related complications. The result is that midwives have to render care and support to mothers who have lost their babies at birth. The objectives of this study were to explore and describe the experiences of midwives caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. A qualitative explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used to conduct this research study to gain an understanding of how the midwives experienced caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. A purposive criterion based non-probability sampling method was used. Ten semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data. Ethical considerations were observed throughout the research study. Measures of trustworthiness were ensured by using credibility, transferability, dependability and conformability. Data analysis was done using Tesch’s method to make sense out of text and data. Four themes were identified, namely, Midwives shared their diverse experiences relating to caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth; Midwives expressed how their personal values and beliefs influenced the ways they dealt with babies dying at birth; Midwives described the organizational values and beliefs related to death and dying and how this influences their own experiences and lastly Midwives provided suggestions regarding how they can be assisted in caring for mothers who have lost their babies at birth. Two main guidelines were developed based on the research findings and literature. The study concludes with recommendations made with regard to areas of nursing practice, education and research.
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- Date Issued: 2016