Peeling the onion: understanding others' lived experience

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Sociology
• Healthcare Ethics

Background:

• Pregnant women using illicit substances face societal and professional marginalization.
• Midwives caring for this population often feel positioned at the periphery of societal norms.
• Understanding the lived experiences of these midwives is crucial for improving care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the lived experiences of midwives caring for pregnant women who use illicit drugs.
• To explore the unique challenges and coping mechanisms employed by these healthcare professionals.
• To provide a deeper understanding of the complex realities faced by midwives in this specialized field.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative phenomenological approach, informed by philosophical perspectives (Heidegger, Gadamer, Merleau-Ponty).
• Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 midwives.
• Data analysis focused on uncovering the layers of meaning within their lived experiences.

Main Results:

• Midwives described experiences involving making a difference, establishing partnerships, and the process of letting go.
• Their lived experiences were characterized as unique, difficult, intangible, and often expressed metaphorically.
• The study identified distinct layers of experience, requiring in-depth exploration to reveal underlying meanings.

Conclusions:

• The lived experiences of midwives caring for pregnant women using illicit drugs are complex and multi-layered.
• Effective care involves navigating challenges through partnership, adaptation, and reflective practice.
• Further research and support are needed to address the unique needs of both midwives and the women they care for.