Introduction: The thesis highlights the unique experience of midwives in the role as mothers, through a combination of personal experiences, seen through the prism of professional knowledge, and covers wider topics than just childbirth, midwifery, and the professional development of midwives. We conclude that midwives, due to their professional training, understand the birth process differently than women without professional background. The knowledge that midwives learn during their studies and work experience not only influences their understanding of birth but can also form their expectations and emotional responses during birth. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore the perceptions of certified midwives about their own childbirth experiences. These findings may help shape the future midwifery care provided by women who are certified midwives by primary education. Methods: The qualitative study included nine midwives, who were interviewed using a semi-structured interview using the Zoom online platform. The interview participants were invited to participate by email and social media. All of them signed an informed consent form at the beginning. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis and the definition of codes and categories. Results: Through thematic analysis, we identified 31 codes, which we grouped into six categories: (1) birth experience, (2) medicalization, (3) knowledge and control, (4) pain and other sensations, (5) treatment and relationship with the midwife who attended the birth, (6) professional identity. We found that knowledge was not a burden to midwives but rather reassured them. During their own childbirth, the participating midwives wanted to be in the role of a mother and not a midwife. With the help of their knowledge, they were able to assess situations more easily, decide on procedures more easily, and defend their positions, which gave them greater confidence. Discussion and conclusion: The study is of major importance to the profession, as it offers valuable perspectives on the mindset of certified midwives and allows us to better understand their experiences during their own births. It reveals how the knowledge and experience gained during their studies and work influence their perception of childbirth.
|
