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The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
Published on: August 2, 2017
Birthing the placenta: women's decisions and experiences
Rachel Reed1, Laura Gabriel2, Lauren Kearney2
1School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore DC, Qld, 4558, Australia. rreed1@usc.edu.au.
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
|April 29, 2019
Summary
Women’s experiences of placental birth reveal that physiological placental birth is key to natural birth. Decisions about placental management are often informed by online research and personal history, with many women valuing the ability to see and keep their placenta.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Maternal Care
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Limited research exists on women's subjective experiences of placental birth.
- Previous studies focused on quantitative outcomes of active versus expectant (physiological) placental management.
- Understanding women's perspectives is crucial for comprehensive care during placental delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and understand women's lived experiences of birthing the placenta.
- To compare experiences between women who underwent active and expectant placental management.
- To identify factors influencing decisions regarding placental delivery management.
Main Methods:
- In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 women (11 expectant, 8 active management, 1 unsure).
- Thematic analysis was employed to analyze qualitative data from participant interviews.
- Data collection focused on experiences before, during, and after placental birth.
Main Results:
- Seven key themes emerged: decision-making ('doing the research,' 'natural birth'), placental birth ('boundaries of time,' 'focusing on baby,' 'sensations'), and postpartum ('looking,' 'keeping').
- Physiological placental birth was integral to natural birth for most women.
- Women valued seeing and keeping their placenta, with placenta encapsulation being a popular choice.
Conclusions:
- Women's decisions regarding placental management were influenced by online information and personal history, often independent of healthcare providers.
- Active management was viewed as an intervention for complications, while physiological birth was intrinsically linked to natural birth.
- Findings highlight the importance of respecting women's preferences for placental management and postpartum interaction, contributing valuable experiential data to clinical practice.
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