Psychology Presentation Critical Analyses Of The Article

Women and Birth 26 (2013) 82–86

Women’s experiences of participation in a pregnancy and postnatal group incorporating yoga and facilitated group discussion: A qualitative evaluation Psychology Presentation Critical Analyses Of The Article

Frances Doran a,*, Julie Hornibrook b,1

a School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, PO Box 150, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia b Member of Council of Women, Lismore and District Women’s Health Centre Inc., PO Box 1020, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. Psychology Presentation : Critical Analyses Of The Article.

A R T I C L E I N F O

Article history:

Received 20 March 2012

Received in revised form 14 June 2012

Accepted 22 June 2012

Keywords:

Pregnancy

Postnatal

Yoga

Community

Group

A B S T R A C T

Background: This paper reports on a small qualitative research study which explored women’s

experiences of participation in a pregnancy and postnatal group that incorporated yoga and facilitated

discussion. The group is offered through a community based feminist non-government women’s health

Centre in Northern NSW Australia. Psychology Presentation Critical Analyses Of The Article

Question: The purpose of the research was to explore women’s experiences of attending this pregnancy

and postnatal group.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative approach was used to explore women’s experiences of attending

the group. Fifteen women participated in individual, in-depth face-to-face interviews. Interviews were

recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was undertaken to analyse the qualitative data.

Findings: Six themes were developed, one with 3 subthemes. One theme was labelled as: ‘the pregnancy

and motherhood journey’ and included 3 sub-themes which were labelled: ‘preparation for birth’,

‘connecting with the baby’ and ‘sharing birth stories.’ The other five themes were: ‘feminine nurturing

safe space’, ‘watching and learning the mothering’, ‘building mental health, well-being and connections’,

the ‘‘group like a rock and a seed’ and ‘different from mainstream’. Psychology Presentation : Critical Analyses Of The Article.

Conclusion: This research adds to the overall body of knowledge about the value of yoga in pre and

postnatal care. It demonstrates the value of sharing birth stories and the strong capacity women have to

support one another, bringing benefits of emotional and social well-being, information, resources and

support derived from group based models of care. Psychology Presentation : Critical Analyses Of The Article.

Crown Copyright � 2012 Published by Elsevier Australia (a division of Reed International Books Australia Pty Ltd) on behalf of Australian College of Midwives. All rights reserved. Psychology Presentation Critical Analyses Of The Article

Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect

Women and Birth

jo u rn al h om ep age: w ww.els evier .c o m/lo c ate /wo mb i

1. Introduction

This paper reports on the results of an exploratory qualitative study, which aimed to explore women’s experiences of attending a pregnancy and postnatal group offered as part of a community based feminist non-government women’s health Centre in rural northern NSW. The group aims to provide women with a positive, joyful and safe space; teach breath control, relaxation, and build strength through yoga; explore options in relation to birthing and parenting and develop a support network.

A formal quantitative evaluation to determine the effectiveness of the group in achieving its aims was undertaken in 2010. Results of 45 completed postal surveys indicated the group is highly effective in meeting its aims. An article demonstrating the results has been submitted by the authors for publication. The evaluation

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +61 02 66 203888; fax: +61 02 66 203022.

E-mail addresses: Frances.doran@scu.edu.au (F. Doran), hornetbiz@gmail.com

(J. Hornibrook). 1 Tel.: +61 04 0289 1169; fax: +61 02 6622 7268.

1871-5192/$ – see front matter . Crown Copyright � 2012 Published by Elsevier Australia (a division of Reed

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2012.06.001

also included a qualitative component of individual interviews with group participants, which aimed to explore in more depth women’s experiences of attending the group. This paper reports on this qualitative phase of the evaluation. Psychology Presentation Critical Analyses Of The Article

2. Literature review

Community based feminist women’s health centres emerged in the 1970s in NSW in response to women’s dissatisfaction with mainstream biomedical care.1 Their aim is to improve the health status of women by providing a unique, holistic, women-centred approach to primary health care. Practice is underpinned by a feminist, preventive framework which values women’s own knowledge and experience and facilitates the sharing of women’s skills, knowledge and experience to empower personal and social aspects of their lives.1

These Centres in NSW offer a range of different services to women across the lifespan, including supporting women during pregnancy and motherhood. Groups offered for women during and following pregnancy can complement mainstream care2 and

International Books Australia Pty Ltd) on behalf of Australian College of Midwives. All rights reserved. Psychology Presentation Critical Analyses Of The Article

F. Doran, J. Hornibrook / Women and Birth 26 (2013) 82–86 83

provide a level of social support not readily provided for childbearing women.3

Other holistic models of care that have emerged to support childbearing women include ‘‘Centering Pregnancy’’, which was developed in America in the 1990s4 and has since been adapted for Australia.5 Women meet within a group setting during pregnancy and in the early postpartum period and participate in facilitated discussion. It is a model of care that empowers women with information and resources to choose health-promoting beha- viours.6 Women have the opportunity to build supportive relationships and networks through sharing knowledge, ideas and experiences with other women and with midwives facilitating the groups.5

3. Setting

This background illustrates the context of the holistic post natal and pregnancy group, which has been evaluated. The group offered as part of a community based women’s health centre is based on feminist values. It commences with gentle yoga, meditation and breath work. This is followed by morning tea, check-in, birth stories, facilitated discussion and/or an education session by a guest speaker. Attendance is flexible and women pay a nominal fee. For women postpartum, babies are integrated in the group. The group has been co-facilitated by the same yoga teacher and midwife since inception in 2003 and each has over 25 years experience in her field of expertise.

4. Methods

Within the initial quantitative evaluation women completed a postal survey and were asked to tick a box if they would be willing to voluntarily participate in an individual interview, with the aim of exploring their experience of attending the group. This was the qualitative phase of the evaluation. Eligible women were contacted by the researcher. Interviews were conducted at a mutually agreed location and place. Interviews were digitally recorded. The only exclusion criteria related to participation of <5 groups. Psychology Presentation Critical Analyses Of The Article

Individual in-depth interviews were chosen as the most appropriate method to meet the research aim and as an ideal way to create a milieu to tap into the woman’s lived experience, knowledge and understanding. Conversing for some time in a relaxed environment allows for an in-depth understanding of a part of that person’s life and experience.8 A list of topics with open ended questions guided the interviews (Table 1).

5. Ethics

Ethics approval was gained from Southern Cross University Ethics Committee (ECN-10-150) to conduct the research.

6. Informed consent Psychology Presentation Critical Analyses Of The Article

Before commencement of the interview information about the purpose of the interview was explained to the woman, as was her right to withdraw at any time, without affecting participation in

Table 1 Guide for interviews.

� Background – demographics � Experiences/benefits derived from the group � Ways participation in the group influenced women in relation to pregnancy, birthing choices, parenting and social networks

� Group process

the group. Levels of confidentiality were explained such as the use of pseudonyms and aggregating of age and number of children in published results. A consent form was then signed by each participant. Psychology Presentation Critical Analyses Of The Article

7. Data analysis

Simple descriptive statistics were used to detail the participant characteristics. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and themat- ic analysis was undertaken. Data were entered using the NVivo computer qualitative analysis package. Broad headings were initially named by the researcher. Common word or phrases were given a numerical score and listed under an appropriate heading. For example, an initial heading related to the main benefits of participating in the group. Psychology Presentation Critical Analyses Of The Article

Under this heading were words such as emotional support, social support, birth preparation, resources, yoga, and sharing resources. Two researchers then independently reviewed the list of headings and grouped concepts together to develop categories. The researchers then discussed these catego- ries and developed themes. Finally, the researchers met with the group facilitators (who had been provided with the list of preliminary headings, concepts and categories) to discuss and reach consensus on themes that most accurately reflected and captured the women’s words. Consensus was reached, with six themes identified. Psychology Presentation Critical Analyses Of The Article