Women's experiences with planned singleton upright breech birth - A phenomenological study.

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Perinatal Psychology
• Maternal Health

Background:

• Planned singleton upright breech births are a less common delivery method.
• Understanding women's subjective experiences is crucial for improving perinatal care.
• Previous research has not fully captured the nuances of physiological breech birth experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of primiparous and multiparous women undergoing planned singleton upright breech births.
• To identify key factors influencing women's satisfaction and coping during physiological breech delivery.

Main Methods:

• Face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten women (five primiparous, five multiparous).
• Data were analyzed using Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological method.
• The study was conducted in a single hospital in Norway.

Main Results:

• Four main constituents emerged: mental preparedness and control, shared decision-making and information, trust in birthing staff, and coping and control in the upright position.
• Readiness, prior experiences, information, and trust in healthcare providers were significant themes.
• Women highlighted a sense of co-determination, control, and mastery.

Conclusions:

• Individual attributes are vital for mental preparedness during childbirth.
• Experiences with upright breech birth vary; some find it ideal, others challenging.
• Tailored maternity care, improved information sharing, and enhanced co-determination are essential for optimizing birth experiences.