Being touched by death while giving birth to life: A meta-ethnography exploring women’s experiences with postpartum hemorrhage

TL;DR

This study explores how women experience postpartum hemorrhage, highlighting their fear, emotional trauma, and the importance of empathetic healthcare support.

Contribution

The study introduces a new metaphor and thematic framework to understand women’s lived experiences of postpartum hemorrhage.

Findings

Women describe PPH as a life-threatening encounter with death.

PPH leaves lasting emotional scars and psychological impacts.

Empathetic healthcare providers are crucial for recovery and support.

Abstract

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a serious complication following childbirth and the most common cause of maternal mortality globally. Women who survive PPH have an increased risk of enduring long-term physical and psychological consequences. This meta-ethnography aimed to investigate women’s experiences of postpartum hemorrhage to develop new insights and understanding of women's needs for care and follow-up after a PPH.

A meta-ethnography was carried out in accordance with Noblit and Hare’s seven phases and the eMERGe reporting guidance. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Maternity and Infant Care, in January 2024. A PRISMA flowchart was used to illustrate the search process and quality assessment was performed according to CASP.

Eight studies were included based on specific inclusion criteria. The analysis and synthesis led to the overarching metaphor of ‘Being touched by death while giving birth to life’ encompassing three main themes. The first theme, ‘When death roams by’ described women’s experiences with PPH as an encounter with death, leading to fear and severe pain. The second theme ‘Living on with an emotional scar’ indicated how PPH was an experience leaving deep impact in a person. The final theme, ‘Healthcare providers as anchors amid the chaos’, described that women valued healthcare professionals who demonstrated empathy and good communication skills.

Our study emphasizes the importance of healthcare providers, particularly midwives, providing empathetic care to aid women in recovering from postpartum hemorrhage.

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