title: First-time mothers' perspectives on relationships with and between midwives and doctors: insights from a qualitative study of giving birth in New Zealand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to explore the experience of giving birth for first-time New Zealand mothers.
  
  
  METHODS
  qualitative methodology was employed to obtain an in-depth insight into the birth experience using semi-structured interviews conducted face-to-face 11 days to 16 weeks (median 13.5 weeks) after giving birth were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim.
  
  
  METHODS
  the interviews were of a small group of New Zealand mothers.
  
  
  METHODS
  ten first-time mothers aged 24-38 years (median 31.5 years) participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  transcripts were analysed using a phenomenological form of thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  a core theme was relationship issues. Two subthemes were delineated: lack of relationship between mothers and midwives and doctors; and the conflict between midwives and doctors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  personal, caring and co-operative relationships with all maternity care professionals were basic to New Zealand mothers feeling good about their birth experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  relationships, with and between, all maternity care professionals merit further investigation in an effort to optimise birth satisfaction.
authors: Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, PO Box 913, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
authors: Anne M
authors: AM
authors: Howarth
authors: Nicola R
authors: NR
authors: Swain
authors: Gareth J
authors: GJ
authors: Treharne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009520:New Zealand; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014741:Video Recording