Exploration of first time mother’s experience of their
first antenatal visit
Researchers: Crowley Murphy Margaret, Director of the
Centre for Nurse and Midwifery Education, Mid West
Regional Hospital
Complex, Dooradoyle, Limerick. Bradshaw
Carmel Lecturer in Midwifery, Dept of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Limerick
Introduction
and Rationale: The aim of this
study was to explore first time mothers’ experience of the first antenatal
visit. A similar study was undertaken by Methven (1989) in the United Kingdom
and the philosophy of maternity care has changed since with greater emphasis on
the provision of women centred care. In addition there is now a considerable
body of evidence in relation to health promotion and education applicable to
women in early pregnancy, much of it expected to be imparted at the first
antenatal visit.
Methodology: A qualitative descriptive design was used to
explore women’s experiences of their first antenatal visit via a semi
structured interview. Purposive sampling was used to ensure that the women had
the appropriate experience to meet the aim of the study (Griffiths 2009). All of the women asked to participate were
pregnant for the first time (primagravidas), thus minimizing their previous
experiences of antenatal care impacting on their responses. All of the women
interviewed (n =10) had booked at an antenatal clinic in a busy maternity unit
situated in the Mid West Region of Ireland. The participants were identified as
having low risk pregnancies and thus anxiety specific to pre-existing
illness/conditions was less likely to influence the women’s responses. Each
woman was interviewed for no longer than 45 minutes in a venue of their choice
and the interview was tape recorded with the woman’s consent. The data is currently
being analysed using Burnard’s 2006 framework .Ethical approval was obtained
from the appropriate ethical committee within the HSE and written consent was
obtained from all the participants.
Results: A total of 10 women were interviewed by the
same researcher, nine of which chose to be interviewed in the hospital setting.
The other woman was interviewed in a neutral venue at her request. The women’s gestations varied from 13 weeks to 19 weeks pregnant at time of
interview. All of the women were interviewed within one month of their initial
booking visit. All of the women were originally accessing public care with one
woman changing her mind following her booking visit and opting for private
obstetric care. Two of the women did not fit the inclusion criteria for low
risk pregnancies but as this became apparent only on interview, the data is
included in the analysis. Ages ranged from 19 to 34 years. Seven of the
pregnancies were planned. The other three pregnancies were unplanned but all of
the women professed themselves to be happy with their pregnancies. One of the
women’s first language was not English but she did not require interpretative
services.
Data is currently
being analysed (Feb 2010)
Preliminary findings indicate
broad satisfaction in relation to the booking visit. There were a number of
expectations of the visit including having an ultrasound, perceived by many as
a very positive experience. The length of the visit was an issue for the women,
particularly as many of the women were not given a clear indication of the
length of and an outline of the visit. Women noted some new information they
received from the visit specifically in relation to diet, exercise and rest.
The significance of attitude and interpersonal skills of the health professionals
was highlighted by many of the women in relation to their experience of the
first visit.
Conclusion: Once analysis
is completed implications for practice will be considered