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Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of mothers regarding intrapartum care services in the Limpopo Province.
Methods:
Qualitative research method was used in this study. An exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was conducted to explore and describe the perceptions of mothers regarding intrapartum care services in the Limpopo Province. Population were mothers who gave birth normally and were attending postpartum care. The study was conducted in primary health care clinics serving rural communities.
Purposive and convenience sampling was used in this study. Data were collected through focus group interview from 10 mothers between the ages of 18 and 40 with the support of tape recorder and field notes. A pilot test was conducted using two mothers to check if the research question is clear or complex. These mothers were not part of the main study. Data were collected untill saturation was achieved. Tesch analysis method was used to analyse the collected data. During data analysis, process, categories were identified and described.
Results: The following main six categories were identified and described:
Perceptions of labour and childbirth, Relationship between health care services and childbirth, Feelings with regard to recent childbirth, Problems during childbirth, Suggestions for utilisation of the clinic in future, and Role played in childbirth. These categories were later confirmed with literature.
Conclusion: It was concluded that 24hr services should be implemented at local clinics. The structure of the clinic should be developed to cater for maternal services. Midwives at local clinics should be sufficient for providing better intrapartum care service. It was recommended that the Department of Health must encourage the development of more midwives from nursing schools in order to improve the services. Midwives at local clinics should be sufficient for providing better intrapartum care.