Women’s Experiences of Emotional Recovery from Childbirth-Related Perineal Trauma: A Qualitative Content analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Social Determinants of Health Research Centre, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Background: The postpartum health care program in Iran is limited to the first six weeks of delivery and only focuses on women’s physical problems. It seems that the issue of emotional recovery is underestimated in postnatal women with prenatal injuries. This study was designed to explore women’s experiences of emotional recovery from childbirth-related perineal trauma.
Methods: This qualitative content analysis was performed on 22 postnatal women with perineal trauma during labor at Omol-banin Hospital from the 20th of April to 25th of December in Mashhad, Iran in 2016. The participants were purposively selected between 10 days to one year after childbirth. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and saturated after 26 interviews. The analysis of data was concurrently carried out using conventional content analysis adopted by Elo and Kyngas (2008). The MAXQDA software (Ver.10) was used for data organization.
Results: Emotional recovery after birth trauma is defined as going on a journey from negative emotions to subjective well-being. Two super-ordinate generic categories emerged from the analysis: 1) feeling trapped in multifaceted issues, and 2) regaining possession of life. The participants encountered numerous concerns initially and with the help of family and community support, they regained the ability to dominate life and develop a pleasant mood. Improving physical functions had an essential role in regaining emotional well-being and enjoying daily life.
Conclusion: The results of this study promoted our understanding of the emotional recovery in women with childbirth-related perineal trauma. This helps the caregivers to understand woman’s emotional concerns and needs in order to offer appropriate counseling services.

Keywords

References

  1.  

    1. Albers LL. Health problems after childbirth. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health. 2000;45:55-7
    2. Frohlich J, Kettle C. Perineal care. BMJ Clinical Evidence. 2015;2015:1401.
    3. Abedzadeh-Kalahroudi M, Talebian A, Sadat Z, Mesdaghinia E. Perineal trauma: incidence and its risk factors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2019;39:206-11.
    4. Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 24th ed. New York: McGraw- hill; 2014.
    5. Dahlen HG, Priddis H, Thornton C. Severe perineal trauma is rising, but let us not overreact. Midwifery. 2015;31:1-8.
    6. Jahani Shourab N, Mirteimouri M, Latifnejad*Roudsari R. A case series of severe perineal lacerations during normal childbirth. The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility. 2018;21:103-14. [In Persian]
    7. Susman EJ, Feagans LV, Ray WJ. Emotion, Cognition, Health, and Development in Children and Adolescents. 1st ed. London: Psychology Press; 2014.
    8. Morris WF. Emotion and anxiety: A philosophic inquiry. 1st ed. USA: Xlibris Corporation; 2006.
    9. Ory MG, Smith ML, editors. Evidence-based programming for older adults. Switzerland: Frontiers Media SA; 2015.
    10. Mirzaaghas R, Kohani Y, Banuasadu H, Tara F. Maternal anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Children. Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health. 2014;2:233-7.
    11. Okon-Singer H, Hendler T, Pessoa L, Shackman AJ. The neurobiology of emotion–cognition interactions: fundamental questions and strategies for future research. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2015;9:58.
    12. Song JE, Chae HJ, Kim CH. Changes in perceived health status, physical symptoms, and sleep satisfaction of postpartum women over time. Nursing & Health Sciences. 2014;16:335-42.
    13. Fairbrother N, Young AH, Janssen P, et al. Depression and anxiety during the perinatal period. BMC Psychiatry. 2015;15:206.
    14. World Health Organization. WHO technical consultation on postpartum and postnatal care. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010.
    15. Britton JR. Maternal anxiety: course and antecedents during the early postpartum period. Depression and Anxiety. 2008;25:793-800.
    16. Dunn AB, Paul S, Ware LZ, Corwin EJ. Perineal injury during childbirth increases risk of postpartum depressive symptoms and inflammatory markers. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health. 2015;60:428-36.
    17. Zare O, Pasha H, Faramarzi M. Effect of perineal massage on the incidence of episiotomy and perineal laceration. Health. 2014;6:10-14.
    18. Ananth M. In defense of an evolutionary concept of health: nature, norms, and human biology. 1sted. UK: Routledge; 2017.
    19. Razurel C, Bruchon-Schweitzer M, Dupanloup A, et al. Stressful events, social support and coping strategies of primiparous women during the postpartum period: a qualitative study. Midwifery. 2011;27:237-42.
    20. Baghirzada L, Ibrahimov F, Macarthur A. Recovery after childbirth: A qualitative study of postpartum women. Clinical Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine. 2018;4:1-5.
    21. Fourtune AE, Reid WJ, Miller RL. Qualitative research in social work. New York: Colombia University press; 2013.
    22. Elo S, Kyngäs H. The qualitative content analysis process. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2008;62:107-15.
    23. Deci EL, Ryan RM. Hedonia, eudaimonia, and well-being: an introduction. Journal of Happiness Studies. 2008;9:1-11.
    24. Slade M, Oades L, Jarden A. Wellbeing, recovery and mental health. 1st ed. UK: Cambridge University Press; 2017.
    25. Diener E, Suh EM, Lucas RE, Smith HL. Subjective well-being: Three decades of progress. Psychological Bulletin. 1999;125:276-302.
    26. Priddis H, Schmired V, Dahlen H. Women’s experiences following severe perineal trauma: a qualitative study. BMC Women’s Health. 2014;14:32
    27. Obertinca B, Dangellia A, Pacarada M, et al. Emotional and Psychological Effects on Women after Induced Abortion. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). 2016;5:1785-8.
    28. Way S. A qualitative study exploring women’s personal experiences of their perineum after childbirth: Expectations, reality and returning to normality. Midwifery. 2012;28:e712–9.
    29. McCarthy M, McMahon C. Acceptance and experience of treatment for postnatal depression in a community mental health setting. Health Care for Women International. 2008;29:618-37.
    30. Leamy M, Bird V, Le Boutillier C, et al. Conceptual framework for personal recovery in mental health: systematic review and narrative synthesis. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2011;199:445-52.
    31. Di*Mascio V, Kent A, Fiander M, Lawrence J. Recovery from postnatal depression: a consumer’s perspective. Archives of Women’s Mental Health. 2008;11:253-7.
    32. Letourneau N, Duffett-Leger L, Stewart M, et al. Canadian mothers’ perceived support needs during postpartum depression. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing. 2007;36:441-9.
    33. Chen CH, Wang SY, Chung UL, et al. Being reborn: the recovery process of postpartum depression in Taiwanese women. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2006;54:450-6.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics