Childbirth as healing: three women's experience of independent midwife care

Abstract

This article sets out to demonstrate that, for some women, childbirth may be experienced as healing and life-changing. The author works as an independent midwife. Interviews with three ex-clients were analysed, and the common themes identified and grouped. The three women had negative memories of the birth of their first child, but all birthed their second babies at home. The quality of care received was described as empowering, reassuring and emotionally supportive. Practical inputs such as listening presence, information, referrals, touch, were all identified as facilitative. The women framed their perception of the changes which had occurred in terms of reassessment of themselves and their capabilities in the light of the achievement of the birth experience.