The voice of memory in hospital birth: A phenomenological study

To examine the perception of the hospital birth experience in women at 8 weeks and 8 months after the birth and to determine if there have been any changes in that perception.

This was a prospective qualitative study with a phenomenological approach based on semi-structured, individual and in-depth interviews at 8 weeks and 8 months after childbirth as well as participant's observations. The data were transcribed and analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti 8 software.

43 women participated in the first interview, and 33 of those participated in the second interview.

Donostia University Hospital, Gipuzkoa, Spain, 2016-2017.

Two main topics emerged from the data analysis which summarize the women's perception of childbirth: (1) memory allows us to recall the experience of hospital birth in time and space; (2) some moments are specially remembered. In the second topic, three subtopics were distinguished: fondest memory: meeting the newborn for the first time; highlighted positive memories: support from partners and professionals; and the worst memories were marked by feelings of worry and fear.

In the perception of the birth experience, positive and negative memories remain in intensity and continuity for at least up to 8 months. Their creation and evocation are highly influenced by the emotional experience and the initial visual impact of meeting the newborn for the first time, which constitutes a milestone in women's lives. The emotions experienced in childbirth and during the postpartum period shape the awareness, memory and new identity of being a mother.