Subjectivity of the Delivery Experience: A Q methodology Approach

Shin, Hye Sook

Abstract

The researcher would like to suggest that the delivery experience varies depending on the personal situation and the childbirth experiences of the mother. The goals of this study are : 1. To find out the subjectivity structure on delivery experience. 2. To describe the differences in delivery experience depending on the delivery methods. 3. To suggest effective nursing intervention for each type. Q-methodology was used for the research design. One of the main reasons to use this Q methodology. Because each individual's delivery experience can be different. The result of this study shows that the subjectivity related to the delivery experience of mother has at least four distinctive types. Type I mothers can be named as "Motherhood Identity Recognition Type". Type I subjects accept delivery experience very positively, show interest in the health of the baby, and identify their motherliness with responsibility. Type II mothers can be named "Leaping to Maturity Type". It can be explained as a state that mothers experience pain, but by understanding and enduring the pain, the pain is changed to maturity. Type III mothers can be named as "Pride Experience Type". Type III feels vaginal delivery as a process to become a real mothers, and have great pride in making this type of significant emotiange delivery. Therefore, they think the labor pain is worth the value and believes that there are other differences between vaginal delivery and cesarean section. Mothers of Type III take the delivery experience to be meaningful. Type IV mothers can be named as "Lack of Motherhood Transition Type". This type does not seem to feel sorry for their babies for going through a cesarean section delivery. The also do not have the satisfaction of delivery and motherliness identity is low. In addition, they especially do not feel affection towards their babies. Also, because they delivered babies in a state of anesthetics, they do not seem to feel much different, but show negative reactions toward themselves.