Women's views on the impact of operative delivery in the second stage of labour: qualitative interview study.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain the views of women on the impact of operative delivery in the second stage of labour.


METHODS
Qualitative interview study.


METHODS
Two urban teaching hospitals in the United Kingdom.


METHODS
Purposive sample of 27 women who had undergone operative delivery in the second stage of labour between January 2000 and January 2002. KEY THEMES: Preparation for birth, understandings of the indications for operative delivery, and explanation or debriefing after birth.


RESULTS
The women felt unprepared for operative delivery and thought that their birth plan or antenatal classes had not catered adequately for this event. They emphasised the importance of maintaining an open mind about the management of labour. They had difficulty understanding the need for operative delivery despite a review by medical and midwifery staff before discharge. Operative delivery had a noticeable impact on women's views about future pregnancy and delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
Women consider postnatal debriefing and medical review important deficiencies in current care. Those who experienced operative delivery in the second stage of labour would welcome the opportunity to have a later review of their intrapartum care, physical recovery, and management of future pregnancies.
Murphy
Deirdre J
DJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maternal and Child Health Sciences, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY. D.J.Murphy@dundee.ac.uk
Pope
Catherine
C
Frost
Julia
J
Liebling
Rachel E
RE
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000523:psychology; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005113:Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007748:Labor Stage, Second / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014504:Urban Health; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*