Research Institute of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Health Sciences, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Katharina-Sulzer-Platz 9, CH-8400 Winterthur, Switzerland.
Research Institute of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Health Sciences, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Katharina-Sulzer-Platz 9, CH-8400 Winterthur, Switzerland.
Sex Reprod Healthc. 2023 Jun;36:100839. doi: 10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100839. Epub 2023 Mar 11.
To gain a deeper understanding of primiparous women's preparation for early labour as well as their expectations and experiences of symptoms of onset of labour.
A qualitative study using focus group discussion was conducted with n = 18 first-time mothers within the first six months of giving birth. Discussions were transcribed verbatim and coded and summarised into themes by two researchers using qualitative content analysis.
The statements of the participants revealed four themes: 'Preparing for the unpredictable', 'Expectations and reality', 'Perception and wellbeing' and 'Experiencing the beginning of birth'. Many women could not distinguish the preparation for early labour from that for the whole birth. Relaxation techniques to prepare for early labour were found to be very helpful. For some women, it was a big challenge that expectations often did not correspond to the experienced reality. Pregnant women faced many different physical and emotional symptoms of onset of labour with striking variability. Emotions ranged from positively excited to having fears. Not being able to sleep for hours was a huge problem for the labour process of some women. While early labour at home was experienced positively, early labour in hospital was sometimes difficult, because women had the feeling of being in the second rank.
The study clearly identified the individual character of experiencing onset of labour and early labour. The variety of experiences highlighted the need for individualised, woman-centred early labour care. Further research should investigate new paths for assessing, advising, and caring for women during early labour.
深入了解初产妇对临产的准备情况，以及她们对临产症状的期望和体验。
采用焦点小组讨论的定性研究方法，对 n=18 名产后 6 个月内的初产妇进行了研究。两名研究人员使用定性内容分析，对讨论内容进行逐字转录、编码和总结，得出主题。
参与者的陈述揭示了四个主题：“为不可预测做准备”、“期望与现实”、“感知与健康”和“体验分娩开始”。许多女性无法区分早期分娩准备和整个分娩准备。研究发现，为早期分娩做准备的放松技巧非常有帮助。对于一些女性来说，期望往往与实际体验不符，这是一个很大的挑战。孕妇面临着许多不同的身体和情绪的临产症状，变化很大。情绪从积极兴奋到恐惧不一而足。有些女性连续几个小时无法入睡，这对分娩过程是一个巨大的问题。虽然在家中进行早期分娩的体验是积极的，但在医院进行早期分娩有时会很困难，因为女性会感到自己处于次要地位。
本研究清楚地确定了临产和早期分娩的个体特征。各种体验强调了需要个性化、以女性为中心的早期分娩护理。进一步的研究应该探索评估、咨询和照顾处于早期分娩阶段的女性的新途径。
