“A worse nightmare than expected”: a Swedish qualitative study of women's experiences two months after obstetric anal sphincter muscle injuryShow others and affiliations
2018 (English)In: Midwifery, ISSN 0266-6138, E-ISSN 1532-3099, Vol. 61, p. 22-28Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Objective
This study explores women's experiences of the first two months after obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS) during childbirth with a focus on problematic recovery.
Methods
This qualitative study used inductive qualitative content analysis to investigate open-ended responses from 1248 women. The data consists of short and comprehensive written responses to open-ended questions focusing on recovery in the national quality register, the Perineal Laceration Register, two months after OASIS at childbirth.
Results
The theme “A worse nightmare than expected” illustrated women's experiences of their life situation. Pain was a constant reminder of the trauma, and the women had to face physical and psychological limitations as well as crushed expectations of family life. Furthermore, navigating healthcare services for help added further stress to an already stressful situation.
Conclusions
We found that women with problematic recovery two months after OASIS experienced their situation as a worse nightmare than expected. Extensive pain resulted in physical and psychological limitations, and crushed expectations of family life. Improved patient information for women with OASIS regarding pain, psychological and personal aspects, sexual function, and subsequent pregnancy delivery is needed. Also, there is a need for clear organizational structures and information to guide help-seeking women to needed care.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2018. Vol. 61, p. 22-28
National Category
Nursing
Research subject
Nursing
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-67701DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2018.02.015ISI: 000430726400004PubMedID: 29524772Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85042881045OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-67701DiVA, id: diva2:1184067
Note
Validerad;2018;Nivå 2;2018-03-13 (svasva)
2018-02-202018-02-202018-06-13Bibliographically approved