ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To explore women's perceptions of transitioning to the birth facility when in labor. DESIGN: Qualitative. METHODS: Twenty-four nulliparous women were interviewed following their birth experiences. RESULTS: Pain was identified as the primary reason for transitioning to the hospital. Once arriving at the hospital, women often felt pressure to "get it right" and not make multiple trips. Three themes were identified: (a) Don't trust your body, trust us; (b) This is not right; and (c) This is too labor! CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The implications for nursing involve increased recognition of the range of normal experiences and acknowledgment that pain is a primary basis for women coming to the hospital as opposed to cervical dilation. Reevaluating the instruction the healthcare providers give to women is warranted.
Subject(s)
Labor Pain/psychology , Labor, Obstetric/psychology , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology , Patient Admission , Pregnant Women/psychology , Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent , Adult , Communication , Decision Making , Dissent and Disputes , Female , Humans , Labor Pain/physiopathology , Labor, Obstetric/physiology , Midwestern United States , Nurse Midwives/organization & administration , Nurse Midwives/psychology , Nurse-Patient Relations , Nursing Assessment , Nursing Methodology Research , Parity , Patient Education as Topic , Pregnancy , Qualitative Research , Self Efficacy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Time Factors , Trust , Uterine Contraction/physiology , Uterine Contraction/psychologyABSTRACT
Doulas, women who primarily provide social support during childbirth, have been associated with a number of positive health outcomes. Because the primary model of practice for doulas is a fee-for-service model in which families privately hire a doula, many expectant women who could benefit from doula support are unable to access the service. The Doulas Care program, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, represents one model in which doulas provide services without charge. As a result of their extended role in the community, doulas who work with the Doulas Care program have unique educational needs. Through the use of focus groups with the program's volunteer doulas, educational needs related to overcoming barriers to being a doula working in the community were identified. Recommendations for education and training are made to improve the support doulas offer as community health outreach workers.