“…we suffer the trauma, yet we soldier on” midwives’ narrations of the effects of maternal deaths on their lives

Abstract

Purpose

Maternal deaths continue to remain unacceptably high in many resourced-constrained countries. There is a proliferation of literature about the effects of these deaths on families, communities, and nations but less on the impact of maternal deaths on midwives who directly attend to the women. Our current study seeks to explore the impact of MM on the well-being, practices and profession development of midwives in Ghana.

To explore and describe the effects of maternal deaths on midwives.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative study among midwives who have encountered maternal mortality (ies) and were audited from a referral hospital in the Bono region of Ghana. The sample size was determined by data saturation at the 12th interviewed participant using a semi-structured interview guide based on themes from earlier unstructured piloted interviews and published literature on the phenomenon. Thematic analysis was conducted. We achieved rigor through data collection and analytical triangulation, peer debriefs, and prolonged engagement with participants for validation of their descriptions.

Results

Three themes were constructed, these were physical effects, psychological trauma, and professional distress.

Conclusions

Maternal deaths and the audit process affect midwives’ heath thus physically, psychologically, and professionally. System strengthening to provide support to midwives who encounter maternal deaths is highly suggested.