Puerperal mother's experiences regarding the midwifery interventions in public hospitals of Limpopo province, South Africa

Background Pregnant women are admitted in maternity units of public hospitals of Limpopo province, South Africa, with the expectations that the midwifery practitioners will provide quality midwifery interventions. The... [ view full abstract ]

Background
Pregnant women are admitted in maternity units of public hospitals of Limpopo province, South Africa, with the expectations that the midwifery practitioners will provide quality midwifery interventions. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the South African Nursing Council regulations, the Batho-Pele principles and the Patient Rights Charter, indicate that patients should be courteously treated and that they have rights to quality care.
Aim and objectives
The aim of the study was to determine the experiences of puerperal mothers regarding the midwifery interventions in public hospitals of Limpopo province. The objectives were to explore and describe the experiences of puerperal mothers with regard to midwifery care and delivery of their babies by midwifery practitioners.
Method
Qualitative, phenomenological, explorative, descriptive and contexual designs were used. The population comprised of all puerperal mothers whose babies were delivered by midwifery practitioners in public hospitals. Purposive sampling was used to select puerperal mothers to participate in the study. Focus group discussions were conducted until data saturation. Data were analysed using Tesch's open coding method. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University Ethics Committee. A signed informed consent was obtained from the participants.
Findings
Puerperal mothers expressed negative experiences that they laboured alone and without pain relief, they were also treated with disrespect by midwifery practitioners. Furthermore, these mothers experienced poor ambulance services and insufficient material resources such as sanitary pads and bath soap.
Conclusions and implications
The study concluded that puerperal mothers received poor midwifery care in the public hospitals of Limpopo province. Such poor care impacts negatively to the standard of maternity care provided to the mothers and also affects the image of public hospitals.