Voices behind the curtain: Women's metaphors of respectful maternity care

BackgroundRespectful maternity care (RMC) is a fundamental human right and ethical obligation that includes women's dignity, autonomy, emotional support, and protection from harm during childbirth. Despite the increasing global attention to RMC, limited research has explored how women subjectively conceptualize respectful care through metaphors, particularly in the Turkish context.AimThis study explored women's metaphorical perceptions of respectful maternity care and identified the underlying ethical themes reflected in these metaphors.Research designThis qualitative study employed a metaphor analysis. Data were collected online from February to March 2026. Participants completed the prompt: "For me, respectful maternity care is like … because …." The data were analyzed using content analysis.Participants and research contextThe study included 109 women aged 21-78 years who had experienced vaginal childbirth in Türkiye. A total of 106 valid metaphors derived from 109 responses were analyzed.Ethical considerationsEthical approval was obtained from the Hacettepe University Faculty of Nursing Research Ethics Committee. Participation was voluntary, electronic informed consent was obtained from all participants, and anonymity and confidentiality were guaranteed.ResultsWomen's metaphors for respectful maternity care were grouped into four conceptual categories: dignified, supportive, protective, and guiding care. The findings showed that women perceive respectful maternity care as a multidimensional and ethically grounded experience extending beyond clinical safety to include dignity, emotional support, protection, and professional guidance.Conclusions: Women's metaphorical perceptions suggest that respectful maternity care is not merely the absence of mistreatment but a moral, relational, and rights-based form of care that recognizes women's dignity, vulnerability, autonomy, and personhood during childbirth. The findings highlight the importance of maternity care practices and professional education that actively promote respectful communication, emotional support, ethical sensitivity, and woman-centered care.