Reflection of the care for childbirth made by expert midwives

Abstract

Purpose
This study aims to clarify the reflections made by expert midwives during their care for childbirth.
Methods
14 expert midwives were observed during their practice and interviewed. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of the interview was made.
Results
The reflection made by midwives were classified into two categories, a reflection made during and after their care for childbirth.
Whether the midwife was aware of unpredictable or uncertain situations as a concern was the difference seen in the reflection made during the care for childbirth. When a midwife was aware of concerning situation, [State 1: reflection that creates trials] was made where midwives reflect on their past experiences and took various trials to prepare themselves for the event that they assumed to follow. On the other hand, when childbirth was progressing normally and as predicted, [State 2: reflection that fuse with the situation] was made where midwives were not aware of any concerns and instantaneously restored their empirical knowledge and their somatic sensation into their care. After their care, [State 3: reflection by mirroring and seeing themselves objectively] was being made.
The [reflection that creates trials] was sorted out into 2 themes, <making trials while uncertain of its success> and <drawing out means from ones' rich past experience>.
The [reflection that fused with the situation] was sorted out into 2 themes, <recognize the situation instantly through restoring their somatic sensation> and <leading natural action foreseeing the normality of the process>.
The [reflection by mirroring and seeing themselves objectively] was sorted into 5 themes, <reconsidering their action due to their awareness of concern>, <sharing the process parturient can find the significance of their own chirdbirth>, <patterning and rewriting the learning from their experience>, <reconsidering the attitude as a midwife> and <polishing the empirical knowledge thoroughly by involving with others>.
Conclusion
The reflection made by midwives were classified into three states, [reflection that creates trial] [reflection that fused with the situation][reflection by mirroring and seeing themselves objectively].