The Lived Experiences of Postpartum Women in Ghana Regarding Nursing Care During Childbirth and their Concept of Care-A Phenomenological Study

Background: Studies have confirmed that the nurse during the period of delivery would be the deciding factor whether the woman would have a positive or negative birth experience. This positive or negative experience depends on the quality of nursing during this period. Hence it is important to know the concept of care from the perspective of postpartum women and their lived experience of nursing care during the period of childbirth. This is because patients’ satisfactory of services rendered is a yardstick for measuring quality of care. However, there is no literature on the lived experience of postpartum women regarding the nursing care rendered to them during childbirth and the viewpoint of postpartum women on the concept of care in the context of Ghanaian health system. Accordingly the objective of the study was to discover the concept of care from the viewpoint of postpartum women and their lived experience of nursing care in the labor ward of Tamale Teaching Hospital. Methods: Using a descriptive phenomenological method, this study was conducted on 10 women who had given birth. A purposive sampling technique was used and data was collected through semi-structured interviews which lasted between 30 to 45 minutes. All participants were made to sign a consent form before participating. Data analysis was done using Colaizzi’s method. Results: Analysis of the interview transcripts depicting the women’s concept of care and experience of nursing care rendered to them during labor and delivery revealed three main themes: (1) Emotional, physical and informational support (2) Pampering and nice communication and (3) Cordial relationship. These women considered these concepts as good nursing care and that care can only be considered as good care if it entails these concepts. Conclusions and implications for practice: It is recommended that midwives and nurses as well as other health workers who nurse pregnant women during childbirth consider the experiences and viewpoint of women regarding their concept of care. The concepts of emotional, physical and informational support, pampering and nice communication and cordial relationship should be taking into consideration when nursing them. This will lead to taking care of them according to their preferences, wishes, needs and values which will lead to their satisfaction and hence quality of care since quality of care is determined by patient’s satisfaction. This will also lead to targeted, individualized, patient centered care for these women