Childbirth expectations and coping strategies of first-time mothers attending a comprehensive health centre in Ekiti State, Nigeria

• Published in: African journal of reproductive health 2023-06, Vol.26 (6), p.99-107
• Main Authors: Akpor, Oluwaseyi A, Odewade, Elizabeth B, Ojo, Elizabeth F, Ojo, Tolulope F, Ojo, Ibukun O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Childbirth; Midwives; Pregnant women
• ISSN: 1118-4841
• DOI: 10.29063/ajrh2023/v27i6s.12

Childbirth is a complex life event for every woman. Women will have positive experiences if their expectations are met during childbirth, unmet expectations can result in negative experience. This study assessed the knowledge, expectations and coping strategies used by first time mothers attending a Comprehensive Health Center in Ekiti State. The study adopted a qualitative research design and twenty individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. Purposive sampling technique was used and the sample size was determined by saturation of data. Interviews were analyzed using qualitative thematic content analysis. Findings revealed limited knowledge about labour as majority of the participants had no knowledge of labour signs and process. Also, almost all the women were not familiar with the various methods for relief from discomfort during labour and first-time mothers expect midwives to care for them throughout the labour process. This study emphasized the need for healthcare professionals to provide suitable comprehensive education on the process and signs of labor as well as the various methods of pain relief. Supportive networks should also be provided for women during prenatal clinics. Also, health care professionals should consider the needs of mothers and try as much as possible to provide holistic support. (Afr J Reprod Health 2023; 27[6s]: 99-107). Keywords: First time mothers, childbirth expectations, coping, labour L'accouchement est un evenement complexe de la vie de chaque femme. Les femmes auront des experiences positives si leurs attentes sont satisfaites lors de l'accouchement, des attentes non satisfaites peuvent entrainer une experience negative. Cette etude a evalue les connaissances, les attentes et les strategies d'adaptation utilisees par les meres pour la premiere fois frequentant un centre de sante complet dans l'Etat d'Ekiti. L'etude a adopte une conception de recherche qualitative et vingt entretiens individuels semi-structures ont ete menes. Une technique d'echantillonnage raisonne a ete utilisee et la taille de l'echantillon a ete determinee par saturation des donnees. Les entretiens ont ete analyses a l'aide d'une analyse de contenu thematique qualitative. Les resultats ont revele des connaissances limitees sur le travail, car la majorite des participants n'avaient aucune connaissance des signes et du processus du travail. De plus, presque toutes les femmes ne connaissaient pas les diverses methodes de soulagement de l'incon