The voice of memory in hospital birth: A phenomenological study

Abstract

Objective: To examine the perception of the hospital birth experience in women at 8 weeks and 8 months after the birth and to determine if there have been any changes in that perception. Design: This was a prospective qualitative study with a phenomenological approach based on semistructured, individual and in-depth interviews at 8 weeks and 8 months after childbirth as well as participant’s observations. The data were transcribed and analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti 8 software. Participants: 43 women participated in the first interview, and 33 of those participated in the second interview. Setting: Donostia University Hospital, Gipuzkoa, Spain, 2016–2017. Findings: Two main topics emerged from the data analysis which summarize the women’s perception of childbirth: (1) memory allows us to recall the experience of hospital birth in time and space; (2) some moments are specially remembered. In the second topic, three subtopics were distinguished: fondest memory: meeting the newborn for the first time; highlighted positive memories: support from partners and professionals; and the worst memories were marked by feelings of worry and fear. Conclusions and implications for practice: In the perception of the birth experience, positive and negative memories remain in intensity and continuity for at least up to 8 months. Their creation and evocation are highly influenced by the emotional experience and the initial visual impact of meeting the newborn for the first time, which constitutes a milestone in women’s lives. The emotions experienced in childbirth and during the postpartum period shape the awareness, memory and new identity of being a mother.