Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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Early postnatal transfer home: A phenomenological study
Sandra Atkinson
MSc, BNS, RT, R.M, R.G.N.
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College
Dublin, Health Science Building, Belfield, Dublin 4.
(01) 716 6565
Sandra.Atkinson@ucd.ie.
Background: It is evident from the literature that postnatal care is
a neglected area. Increasing strains on the provision of maternity
services further effects care following delivery. This study
investigates women’s “lived experience” of an alternative method of
postnatal care, which is relatively new to Ireland.
Aim of the study: To explore and give meaning to the experience
of women who choose to go home early following a normal delivery.
Methodology: A qualitative study, utilising a hermeneutic
phenomenological design was undertaken. Open, unstructured
interviews were conducted with nine women. These women, who
had all availed of an Early Transfer Home Programme, were
selected by purposive sampling.
Analysis: The data collected was analysed according to the
hermeneutic research approach. This approach of interpretative
analysis utilises three interrelated processes, these are thematic
analysis, analysis of exemplars and the search of paradigm cases.
Findings: The core category “it worked very well for me” highlights
the individuality of each woman’s experience. This experience
appeared to be influenced by the following main categories: (1)
choice; (2) normality/wellbeing; (3) support from the midwife; (4)
support from family and friends; (5) home to family. The
categories identified emerged from the interviews with the women.
Conclusions: The women interviewed emphasised the individuality
of their experience and appreciated the voluntary nature of their
choice. The women generally appeared to recognise the normality
of childbirth however were unanimous in their need for “rest”.
Support provided by both the midwife and the family was a
significant factor in relation to the satisfaction of their experience.
To return home to their family was an important benefit of early
transfer home. Consequently this resulted in an increased
involvement of family members, particularly the father, in the
postnatal experience.
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