"I want a birth without interventions": Women's childbirth experiences from Turkey

Abstract

Background: Although primarily stemming from research conducted in high-income countries, culturally sensitive knowledge of women's experiences with and needs during childbirth, as well as how such experiences affect their psychological health and wellbeing, is important to add to the big picture of women's experiences with childbirth worldwide.

Aim: The aim of the study was to clarify how primiparous women in Turkey experience childbirth and intrapartum care.

Methods: Grounded theory guided depth-interviews with 12 women, whose data were analysed according to the constant comparative method.

Findings: Participants reported wanting vaginal birth without interventions (i.e. normal birth), which required their empowerment as well as support from others. Although they recognised their readiness for the birth process as a decisive factor in coping with childbirth, they prioritised quality of care from healthcare professionals during birth, which most participants found unsatisfactory. They also highlighted the importance of giving birth in a health-promoting environment offering privacy, silence and comfort.

Discussion: To support normal birth, the World Health Organization's intrapartum care model prioritises continuity of care, respectful labour and childbirth care, effective communication from healthcare personnel and emotional support from a companion of choice. Salutogenesis can also guide clinical birth practices to promote normal birth and positive birth experiences.

Conclusion: All women strove to experience normal birth, which required antenatal education and emotional support from a partner or family and from healthcare professionals. Normal birth and positive childbirth experiences also required quality intrapartum care and a health-promoting environment.

Keywords: Antenatal education; Birth experience; Normal birth; Quality of intrapartum care; Salutogenesis.