The Journey of the Stork: A Narrative Experiences of Mothers Under Midwifery Care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21888959Keywords:
Midwife, Midwifery Care, Lived Experiences, Maternal Health, Antenatal Care, Intrapartum Care, Post-partum Care, Newborn Care, Woman-Centered Care, Respectful Maternity CareAbstract
This qualitative study examines mothers’ lived experiences of receiving midwifery care during the antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods, from conception through delivery and the first few months after delivery (Diffun, Quirino). Anchored with Kristen Swanson’s Theory of Caring and the Midwifery Model of Care, which was used along with Narrative Inquiry and Thematic Analysis to collect and analyze the qualitative data. The purposive maximum variation sampling method was used to select 20 mothers who delivered within the past three months and received care from licensed midwives. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured, open-ended interviews, translated into English, and then analyzed using NVivo 12 Pro software. The findings of the study identified the following main themes of maternal experience along the maternal journey. The antenatal phase is characterized by the following themes regarding midwives: (1) All mothers referred to midwives as a source of comfort and support for themselves and their partners; (2) Midwives communicated effectively with all mothers concerning their needs and care; (3) Midwives provided safety and reassurance to mothers; (4) Midwives educated mothers about their health, especially correct information regarding their misconceptions about pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum experiences. The intrapartum phase of the maternal experience was characterized by midwives providing compassion and support for mothers; (2) Midwives had the clinical skills to help mothers to give birth and to provide clinical management for any complications that may occur during the labor and delivery process; and (3) Midwives supported family companionship during labor and provided emotional support to family members. The postpartum phase of the maternal experience consisted of (1) midwives helping mothers with early newborn care (skin-to-skin contact), (2) Midwives provided support for breastfeeding mothers, (3) Midwives supported mothers through monitoring of their postpartum recovery, (4) Midwives provided family planning counselling, (5) Midwives provided education to mothers on caring for their newborns. The study showed that midwifery care is holistic and continuous, and midwifery care focuses on building relationships. Therefore, midwifery care is the bridge between low-cost access to maternal health services and high-quality maternal health services. Midwifery care reduces maternal anxiety, improves mothers’ confidence, and facilitates safe and respectful childbirth experiences. Recommendations for this study include supporting midwives with communication and transportation, providing additional training for prenatal education, and implementing inclusive policies that support midwifery care in rural areas.
Downloads
References
Afaya, A., Dzomeku, V. M., Baku, E. A., Afaya, R. A., Ofori, M., Agyeibi, S., Boateng, F., Gamor, R. O., Gyasi-Kwofie, E., & Mwini Nyaledzigbor, P. P. (2020). Women's experiences of midwifery care immediately before and after caesarean section deliveries at a public hospital in the Western Region of Ghana. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1), Article 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-019-2698-4
Attanasio, L. B., Ranchoff, B. L., Paterno, M. T., & Kjerulff, K. H. (2022). Person-centered maternity care and health outcomes at 1 and 6 months postpartum. Journal of Women's Health, 31(10), 1411–1421. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2021.0643
Ayalew, M. M., Nebeb, G. T., Bizuneh, M. M., & Dagne, A. H. (2021). Women's satisfaction and its associated factors with antenatal care services at public health facilities: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Women's Health, 13, 279–286. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S293725
Baranowska, B., Pawlicka, P., Kiersnowska, I., Misztal, A., Kajdy, A., Sys, D., & Doroszewska, A. (2021). Woman’s needs and satisfaction regarding the communication with doctors and midwives during labour, delivery and early postpartum. Healthcare, 9(4), Article 382. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9040382
Barbieri, M., Moro, A., Catania, G., Carnevale, F. A., Aleo, G., Zanini, M., Sasso, L., & Bagnasco, A. (2025). Midwifery care: An evolutionary concept analysis. Nursing Open, 12(11), Article e70354. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.70354
Berg, M., Lundgren, I., Hermansson, E., & Wahlberg, V. (1996). Women’s experience of the encounter with the midwife during childbirth. Midwifery, 12(1), 11–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-6138(96)90033-9
Borrelli, S. E. (2014). What is a good midwife? Insights from the literature. Midwifery, 30(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2013.06.019
Bossano, C. M., Townsend, K. M., Walton, A. C., Blomquist, J. L., & Handa, V. L. (2017). The maternal childbirth experience more than a decade after delivery. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 217(3), 342.e1–342.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2017.05.021
Bowers, B. B. (2002). Mothers' experiences of labor support: Exploration of qualitative research. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 31(5), 511–521. https://doi.org/10.1177/0884217502239218
Bradfield, Z. (2019). Western Australian midwives’ perceptions and experiences of being ‘with woman’ during labour and birth (Version 1) [Doctoral dissertation, Curtin University]. Curtin University Research Bank. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/7584
Bradford, B. F., Wilson, A. N., Portela, A., McConville, F., Fernandez Turienzo, C., & Homer, C. S. E. (2022). Midwifery continuity of care: A scoping review of where, how, by whom and for whom? PLOS Global Public Health, 2(10), Article e0000935. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000935
Browne, J., & Taylor, J. (2014). "It's a good thing…": Women's views on their continuity experiences with midwifery students from one Australian region. Midwifery, 30(3), e108–e114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2013.11.006
Butler, M. M., Brosnan, M. C., Drennan, J., Feeney, P., Gavigan, O., Kington, M., O'Brien, D., Sheehy, L., & Walsh, M. C. (2014). Evaluating midwifery-led antenatal care: Using a program logic model to identify relevant outcomes. Midwifery, 30(1), e34–e41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2013.10.003
Cornally, P., Butler, M., Murphy, M., Rath, A., & Canty, G. (2014). Exploring women’s experiences of care in labour. Evidence Based Midwifery, 12(3), 89–94.
Cummins, A., Booth, C., Lennon, K., McLaughlin, K., Prussing, E., & Newnham, L. (2024). "A safe space"; A statewide evaluation of Midwifery Antenatal and Postnatal Service (MAPS) using the quality maternal newborn care, evidence informed framework. Women and Birth, 37(5), Article 101642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2024.101642
Dahlberg, U., & Aune, I. (2013). The woman’s birth experience—the effect of interpersonal relationships and continuity of care. Midwifery, 29(4), 407–415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2012.09.006
Edmondson, M. C., & Walker, S. B. (2014). Working in caseload midwifery care: The experience of midwives working in a birth centre in North Queensland. Women and Birth, 27(1), 31–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2013.09.003
Fikre, R., Gubbels, J., Teklesilasie, W., & Gerards, S. (2023). Effectiveness of midwifery-led care on pregnancy outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23(1), Article 386. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05664-9
Fontein-Kuipers, Y., de Groot, R., & van Staa, A. (2018). Woman-centered care 2.0: Bringing the concept into focus. European Journal of Midwifery, 2, Article 5. https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/91492
Gonzales, A. M., Jr., & Barcelo, T. I. (2023). Quality of prenatal care and maternal fetal attachment among primigravid mothers in the Philippines: A cross-sectional study. Midwifery, 127, Article 103842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2023.103842
Goodman, P., Mackey, M. C., & Tavakoli, A. S. (2004). Factors related to childbirth satisfaction. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 46(2), 212–219. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2003.02981.x
Guo, K., Shang, X., & Deng, X. (2025). The effects of a newborn care education program on mothers' self-confidence, care knowledge, and breastfeeding behavior: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Public Health Nursing, 42(1), 395–410. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13484
Harvey, S., Rach, D., Stainton, M. C., Jarrell, J., & Brant, R. (2002). Evaluation of satisfaction with midwifery care. Midwifery, 18(4), 260–267. https://doi.org/10.1054/midw.2002.0317
Heale, R., James, S., Wenghofer, E., & Garceau, M. L. (2018). Nurse practitioners' perceptions of the impact of the nurse practitioner-led clinic model on the quality of care of complex patients. Primary Health Care Research & Development, 19(6), 553–560. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423617000913
Homer, C. S. (2016). Models of maternity care: Evidence for midwifery continuity of care. The Medical Journal of Australia, 205(8), 370–374. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja16.00844
Homer, C. S., Friberg, I. K., Dias, M. A., ten Hoope-Bender, P., Sandall, J., Speciale, A. M., & Bartlett, L. A. (2014). The projected effect of scaling up midwifery. The Lancet, 384(9948), 1146–1157. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60790-X
Hussein, S. A. A. A., Dahlen, H. G., Ogunsiji, O., & Schmied, V. (2020). Jordanian women’s experiences and constructions of labour and birth in different settings, over time and across generations: A qualitative study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1), Article 357. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03034-3
Kuipers, Y., Aitken-Arbuckle, A., Jenkins, H., Watson, S., King, M., & Zemouri, C. (2026). Midwife continuity of care: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 174, Article 105300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2025.105300
Lalithabai, D., Alsomali, F., AlGhamdi, K., & AlZahrani, W. (2024). Women’s perception of a midwife-led clinic: A qualitative study. The Journal of Medicine, Law & Public Health, 4(4), 455–465. https://doi.org/10.52609/jmlph.v4i4.134
Liu, Y., Li, T., Guo, N., Li, Z., & Chen, S. (2021). Women’s experience and satisfaction with midwife-led maternity care: A cross-sectional survey in China. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21(1), Article 151. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03638-3
Lumia, C., Molinari, I., Mazzoleni, B., & Nespoli, A. (2025). The experience of family and community midwives in postnatal care: A qualitative study in Italy. European Journal of Midwifery, 9, Article 10.18332/ejm/204272. https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/204272
MacArthur, C., Winter, H. R., Bick, D. E., Lilford, R. J., Lancashire, R. J., Knowles, H., Braunholtz, D. A., Henderson, C., Belfield, C., & Gee, H. (2003). Redesigning postnatal care: A randomised controlled trial of protocol-based midwifery-led care focused on individual women's physical and psychological health needs. Health Technology Assessment, 7(37), 1–98. https://doi.org/10.3310/hta7370
Maga, G., Magon, A., Caruso, R., Brigante, L., Daniele, M. A. S., Belloni, S., & Arrigoni, C. (2024). Development and validation of the Midwifery Interventions Classification for a Salutogenic Approach to Maternity Care: A Delphi study. Healthcare, 12(22), Article 2228. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12222228
Mahmood, H. R., Hossain, L., Sayeed, A., Azrin, F., Mallick, T., Hayder, T., Ahmed, A., Jabeen, S., Tonmon, T. T., Rahman, M. M., Akm, M. H., Siddique, M. A. B., Zaman, S., Rahman, A., Murshid, H. B., Nadia, N., Mahmud, M., Alim, M. A., Hoque, D. M. E., … Raghuvanshi, V. S. (2025). Effect of involvement of midwives in maternal care on patient and provider satisfaction in secondary-level public health facilities in Bangladesh: A comparative quasi-experimental study. Journal of Global Health, 15, Article 04183. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.15.04183
Manjarres-Posada, N., Onofre-Rodríguez, D., & Benavides-Torres, R. (2020). Social cognitive theory and health care: Analysis and evaluation. International Journal of Social Science Studies, 8(4), 132–139. https://doi.org/10.11114/ijsss.v8i4.4870
McCourt, C., Page, L., Hewison, J., & Vail, A. (1998). Evaluation of one-to-one midwifery: Women's responses to care. Birth, 25(2), 73–80. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-536x.1998.00073.x
Meyer, Y., Frank, F., Schläppy Muntwyler, F., Fleming, V., & Pehlke-Milde, J. (2017). Decision-making in Swiss home-like childbirth: A grounded theory study. Women and Birth, 30(6), e272–e280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2017.05.004
Michel-Schuldt, M., McFadden, A., Renfrew, M., & Homer, C. (2020). The provision of midwife-led care in low-and middle-income countries: An integrative review. Midwifery, 84, Article 102659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2020.102659
MirzaiiNajmabadi, K., Taghipour, A., MirzaeeRabor, F., & Mirzaee, F. (2016). Respect for woman's decision-making in spontaneous birth: A thematic synthesis study. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 21(5), 449–457. https://doi.org/10.4103/1735-9066.193389
Mortensen, B., Diep, L. M., Lukasse, M., Lieng, M., Dwekat, I., Elias, D., & Fosse, E. (2019). Women's satisfaction with midwife-led continuity of care: An observational study in Palestine. BMJ Open, 9(11), Article e030324. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030324
Nove, A., Friberg, I. K., de Bernis, L., McConville, F., Moran, A. C., Najjemba, M., Ten Hoope-Bender, P., Tracy, S., & Homer, C. S. E. (2021). Potential impact of midwives in preventing and reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and stillbirths: A Lives Saved Tool modelling study. The Lancet Global Health, 9(1), e24–e32. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30397-1
Oğlak, S. C., Koç, Ö., & Sönmez, T. (2026). Midwifery-led continuity-of-care education affects health literacy, empowerment and childbirth fear: A quasi-experimental study. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 46(1), Article 2609335. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443615.2025.2609335
Puts, C. (2023). Midwifery care and maternal health outcomes: A systematic review. International Research Journals, 12(4), Article 100694. https://www.interesjournals.org/articles/midwifery-care-and-maternal-health-outcomes-a-systematic-review-100694.html
Rabor, F. M., Taghipour, A., & Najmabadi, K. M. (2015). Voices of mothers' interaction with midwives in natural childbirth: A qualitative study. Health, 7(1), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.4236/health.2015.71017
Renfrew, M. J., McFadden, A., Bastos, M. H., Campbell, J., Channon, A. A., Cheung, N. F., Silva, D. R. A. D., Downe, S., Kennedy, H. P., Malata, A., McCormick, F., Wick, L., & Declercq, E. (2014). Midwifery and quality care: Findings from a new evidence-informed framework for maternal and newborn care. The Lancet, 384(9948), 1129–1145. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60789-3
Ryan, P., Revill, P., Devane, D., & Normand, C. (2013). An assessment of the cost-effectiveness of midwife-led care in the United Kingdom. Midwifery, 29(4), 368–376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2012.02.005
Sandall, J., Fernandez Turienzo, C., Devane, D., Soltani, H., Gillespie, P., Gates, S., Jones, L. V., Shennan, A. H., & Rayment-Jones, H. (2024). Midwife continuity of care models versus other models of care for childbearing women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2024(4), Article CD004667. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub6
Shahinfar, S., Abedi, P., Najafian, M., Abbaspoor, Z., Mohammadi, E., & Alianmoghaddam, N. (2021). Women's perception of continuity of team midwifery care in Iran: A qualitative content analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21(1), Article 173. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03666-z
Simkin, P. (1992). Just another day in a woman’s life? Part II: Nature and consistency of women’s long-term memories of their first birth experiences. Birth, 19(2), 64–81. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-536X.1992.tb00382.x
Skirrow, H., Holder, B., Meinel, A., Narh, E., Donaldson, B., Bosanquet, A., Barnett, S., & Kampmann, B. (2020). Evaluation of a midwife-led, hospital-based vaccination service for pregnant women. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 16(11), 2800–2808. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2020.1770515
Susanti, A. I., Ali, M., Hernawan, A. H., Rinawan, F. R., Purnama, W. G., Puspitasari, I. W., & Stellata, A. G. (2022). Midwifery continuity of care in Indonesia: Initiation of mobile health development integrating midwives’ competency and service needs. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), Article 13893. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113893
Sutcliffe, K., Caird, J., Kavanagh, J., Rees, R., Oliver, K., Dickson, K., Woodman, J., Barnett‐Paige, E., & Thomas, J. (2012). Comparing midwife‐led and doctor‐led maternity care: A systematic review of reviews. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(11), 2376–2386. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.05998.x
Symon, A., Pringle, J., Cheyne, H., Downe, S., Hundley, V., Lee, E., Lynn, F., McFadden, A., McNeill, J., Renfrew, M. J., Ross-Davie, M., van Teijlingen, E., Whitford, H., & Alderdice, F. (2016). Midwifery-led antenatal care models: Mapping a systematic review to an evidence-based quality framework to identify key components and characteristics of care. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 16(1), Article 168. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-0944-6
Thomson, A. (2003). The relationship of the legalisation of midwifery and safe motherhood. Midwifery, 19(2), 77–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-6138(03)00017-2
Voon, S. T., Lay, J. T., San, W. T., Shorey, S., & Lin, S. K. (2017). Comparison of midwife-led care and obstetrician-led care on maternal and neonatal outcomes in Singapore: A retrospective cohort study. Midwifery, 53, 71–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2017.07.010
Wakelin, K., & Skinner, J. (2007). Staying or leaving: A telephone survey of midwives exploring the sustainability of practice as lead maternity carers in one urban region of New Zealand. New Zealand College of Midwives Journal, 37, 10–14.
Walsh, D. (1999). An ethnographic study of women’s experience of partnership caseload midwifery: The professional as a friend. Midwifery, 15(3), 165–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-6138(99)90061-X
World Health Organization. (2015). Pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and newborn care: A guide for essential practice (3rd ed.). World Health Organization. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK326678/
World Health Organization. (2021). The state of the world's midwifery 2021: Building a resilient health workforce for maternal, newborn, and adolescent health. United Nations Population Fund. https://www.unfpa.org/publications/sowmy-2021
Yazdani, N. S., Haider, K. A., Khan, A., Jaffar Zaidi, S. A., Rajani, A., Nisar, I., Jehan, F., & Hoodbhoy, Z. (2023). Pregnant women's experiences with midwifery-led antenatal care services in peri-urban communities in Karachi, Pakistan. Patient Related Outcome Measures, 14, 127–136. https://doi.org/10.2147/PROM.S404476
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
