Pentadic cartography: mapping birth trauma narratives

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Medical Humanities

Background:

• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth affects 1.5-6% of mothers.
• Understanding the subjective experiences of childbirth trauma is crucial for improving maternal care.
• Qualitative research offers deep insights into the nuances of these experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a narrative analysis of 11 mothers' childbirth trauma stories.
• To explore the experiences of trauma during labor and delivery through a dramatistic pentad framework.
• To identify specific aspects of care that contribute to or mitigate birth trauma.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative narrative analysis of 11 mothers' birth trauma accounts.
• Application of the dramatistic pentad (scene, act, purpose, agent, agency) for structural analysis.
• Utilizing pentadic cartography to map narrative elements and identify ratio imbalances.

Main Results:

• The act:agency ratio imbalance was a prominent feature in the narratives.
• This ratio imbalance served as a 'terministic screen' to pinpoint trauma occurrences during labor and delivery.
• The analysis highlighted the critical role of 'how' care is provided (agency) in the experience of trauma.

Conclusions:

• The way clinicians provide care (agency) during childbirth significantly impacts the occurrence and perception of trauma.
• Findings suggest focusing on the 'how' of clinical practice to improve maternal experiences and reduce birth trauma.
• This research provides a framework for understanding and addressing childbirth trauma in clinical settings.