Exploring the Role of Midwives in Promoting Childbearing from the Perspective of Couples: A Qualitative Content...

Childbearing has declined in all countries worldwide, and Iran is no exception. According to the United Nations report, nearly half of the world's population live in countries with fertility rates below the replacement level. Therefore, providing reproductive health services is of paramount importance. In this regard, utilizing the potential of midwifery care to improve fertility services is significant. This study aims to explore the role of midwives in promoting childbearing from the perspective of couples.

This qualitative study employed content analysis and involved couples attending healthcare centers and hospitals affiliated with Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Ahvaz between July to November 2024. Purposive sampling was conducted until data saturation was reached. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 15 couples (30 individuals) who met the inclusion criteria. Analysis was performed using MAXQDA (version 20) software following the conventional content analysis method of Graneheim and Lundman.

The results included 4 main categories: "Empowering couples," "Creating Motivation for Having Children," "Preparing for Parenthood," and "Supporting the Overcoming of Childbearing Barriers" and one main theme as "Midwife as a Key Supporter in Promoting Childbearing".

The couple experiences highlight midwives as pivotal figures in promoting healthy childbearing through a multifaceted approach. Future research should explore the role of midwives in promoting childbearing from the perspectives of midwives and policymakers using qualitative approaches, followed by quantitative studies to assess the impact of these efforts.