Experiences of Midwives in Turkey Regarding Providing Childbirth Care to Women With COVID-19: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the experiences of midwives in providing childbirth care to women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: This qualitative study was conducted with 25 midwives who worked in a public hospital for at least one year and actively provided childbirth care to women with COVID-19 between 15-30 January 2021.The data were obtained through one-to-one video conference interviews using a semi-structured interview form consisting of seven open-ended questions prepared by the researchers and analyzed thematically. Results: Four main themes were identified. Theme 1: ‘Change in midwifery care performance’ describes the performance of midwives in providing childbirth care to women with COVID-19 and the influencing factors. Theme 2: ‘Unusual labour and delivery’ explained the isolation processes of midwives in labour and birth, the changes they experience regarding the acceptance of a birth partner during the birth, and the way they handle the increasing number of cesarean section decisions. Theme 3: ‘Strict policies that disrupt postpartum care’, explained the practices of midwives in the postpartum period, which changed with political decisions. Theme 4: ‘Emotional problems’ explain the emotional problems directly experienced from a professional and human perspective. Conclusion: In the COVID-19 period, midwives preserved their compassion and empathy, but had difficulty providing woman-centered care. They defended natural birth, but could not have their say in the changes. Anxiety, fear, increased stress, and burnout significantly affected the professional quality of life.

Keywords

• childbirth
• COVID-19
• midwife
• qualitative research

Türkiye'deki Ebelerin COVİD-19'lu Kadınlara Doğum Bakımı Sağlama Konusunda Deneyimleri: Niteliksel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, ebelerin COVID-19’lu kadınlara doğum bakımı sağlamaya yönelik deneyimlerini değerlendirmektir. Yöntemler: Bu nitel çalışma, 15-30 Ocak 2021 tarihleri arasında bir devlet hastanesinde en az bir yıldır çalışan ve aktif olarak COVID-19'lu kadınlara doğum bakım sağlayan 25 ebe ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler, araştırmacılar tarafından hazırlanan yedi açık uçlu sorudan oluşan yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılarak birebir video konferans görüşmeleri yoluyla elde edilmiş ve tematik olarak analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular: Dört ana tema tanımlanmıştır. Tema 1: ‘Ebelik bakım performansında değişim’, ebelerin COVID-19’lu kadınlara doğum bakımı sağlama performanslarını ve etkili faktörleri tanımlamıştır. Tema 2: ‘Olağandışı travay ve doğum’, ebelerin travay ve doğumdaki izolasyon süreçlerini, doğuma refakatçi kabul etme ile ilgili yaşadıkları değişimleri ve artan sezeryan kararlarını ele alma biçimlerini açıklamıştır. Tema 3: ‘Doğum sonu bakımı bozan katı politikalar’, ebelerin doğum sonu dönemde politik kararlarla değişen uygulamalarını tarif etmiştir. Tema 4: ‘Emosyonel sorunlar’, profesyonel ve insani bakış açısıyla doğrudan deneyimlenen emosyonel sorunları açıklamıştır. Sonuç: Ebeler COVID-19 döneminde merhamet ve empatiyi elden bırakmasalarda kadın merkezli bakım sağlamada zorlanmışlardır. Ebeler doğal doğumu savunmuş, ancak değişimde söz alamamıştır. Anksiyete, korku, artan stres ve tükenmişlik onların profesyonel yaşam kalitesini belirgin şekilde etkilemiştir.

Keywords

• doğum
• COVID-19
• ebe
• nitel araştırma

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