Marathon maternity oral history project: Exploring rural birthing through narrative methods.
OBJECTIVE
To explore how birthing and maternity care are understood and valued in a rural community.


METHODS
Oral history research.


METHODS
The rural community of Marathon, Ont, with a population of approximately 3500.


METHODS
A purposive selection of mothers, grandmothers, nurses, physicians, and community leaders in the Marathon medical catchment area.


METHODS
Interviews were conducted with a purposive sample, employing an oral history research methodology. Interviews were conducted non-anonymously in order to preserve the identity and personhood of participants. Interview transcripts were edited into short narratives. Oral histories offer perspectives and information not revealed in other quantitative or qualitative research methodologies. Narratives re-personalize and humanize medical research by offering researchers and practitioners the opportunity to bear witness to the personal stories affected through medical decision making.


RESULTS
Eleven stand-alone narratives, published in this issue of Canadian Family Physician, form the project's findings. Similar to a literary text or short story, they are intended for personal reflection and interpretation by the reader. Presenting the results of these interviews as narratives requires the reader to participate in the research exercise and take part in listening to these women's voices. The project's narratives will be accessible to readers from academic and non-academic backgrounds and will interest readers in medicine and allied health professions, medical humanities, community development, gender studies, social anthropology and history, and literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Sharing personal birthing experiences might inspire others to reevaluate and reconsider birthing practices and services in other communities. Where local maternity services are under threat, Marathon's stories might contribute to understanding the meaning and challenges of local birthing, and the implications of losing maternity services in rural Canada.
Northern Ontario School of Medicine, 955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1. aorkin@nosm.ca.
Aaron
A
Orkin
Sarah
S
Newbery
D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D033262:Narration; D009774:Obstetrics; D009864:Ontario; D036801:Parturition; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D019035:Rural Health Services; D012424:Rural Population