An Interpretative Phenomenological Study on the Experiences of Women Receiving Special Physical and Psychological Support During Pregnancy and Childbirth

Abstract

This study aims to phenomenologically examine women’s experiences receiving special physical and psychological sup-port during pregnancy and childbirth to understand and express their feelings, perspectives, perceptions, and experiences towards pregnancy and childbirth. This study was carried out with the participation of 13 women who realized the pregnancy and birth process with the ‘Birth Team Without Wishes’ consisting of a doctor, midwife, doula, pregnant and birth psychological counselor/psychologist, received birth preparation training, received one-to-one midwife and doula support, and worked with a pregnant and birth psychological counselor/psychologist. After the interviews, analyses were conducted using the MAXQDA 2020 program. Vivo Coding and Thematic Coding methods were used in the study. As a result of the findings, in line with the purpose of the research, which was determined as ‘Experiences of Special Sup-port during Pregnancy and Childbirth,’ 6 sub-themes were found as ‘Pregnancy Process; Preparation for Childbirth; Birth Process; Professional Support and Team; Psychological Emotional Support; Support from Family, Environment and Social Groups.’ The findings revealed that participants generally perceived the pregnancy process as a happy, pleasant, and posi-tive experience, but environmental factors and individual differences shaped and influenced their experiences. Despite the proven importance of multidisciplinary support in maternal care, one of the key challenges identified is the lack of holistic models that integrate psychological and physical support tailored to women’s emotional realities. This study offers an original contribution by exploring how a coordinated, team-based support model addresses these gaps and enhances birth satisfaction, emotional resilience, and perceived safety. Birth preparation training and the support provided by professional support teams were found to reduce women’s anxiety and worry levels and increase their satisfaction with the process. Suggestions were made in line with the findings.