Methods: The research question was answered by using Van Manen’s thematic analysis of the experience which describes and explains the meaning of the experience of APBR. A qualitative interpretive phenomenological methodology was chosen for this study because this approach studies the first-person point of view. In this study, the first-person point of view makes apparent the mother’s reality, beliefs, knowledge, and questions pertaining to the experience of APBR. Mothers may still have unanswered questions regarding the meaning of their APBR experience. Heidegger’s Interpretive Phenomenological approach provided the philosophical underpinnings and Van Manen’s analytical steps explored the meaning of the mother’s APBR experience from the perspective of the mother as she interprets the meaning of her experience. After obtaining IRB approval for this study, informed consent was given to the participants. A purposeful sampling of 15 mothers who had the experience of antepartum bed rest and have surpassed the six-week postpartum period was used in this study. Data consisted of one on one semi-structured interviews using open ended questions which were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcribed interviews were analyzed with Van Manen’s Thematic Six Step and Three Method Approach.The three approaches are, the detailed reading approach, the selective or highlighting approach, and the holistic reading approach. Examples are provided after each approach, Figure 1., at the end of this section summarizes the findings and themes that emerged from using Van Manen’s Three Method Approach. Implementation of Lincoln and Guba’s framework with five criteria to evaluate rigor was used in the interpretation process.
Results: The results of this study, answered by the Van Manen Thematic approach, discovered Seven Themes, Two Subthemes, and an Overarching Theme. The Themes are Altered Relationships with Sub Themes of Altered Relationship Strengthening and Altered Relationships Weakening, Stigma, Guilt, with a subtheme of Imposed Guilt, Debilitating Core Strength, Bonding Detachment, Abandonment, and Disruptive Memories. The Overarching Theme Vulnerable Captivity evolved. Each theme is defined in the context of the experience of antepartum bed rest (APBR). This study uses a total of 52 quotes from the transcripts, divided among themes. A relationship between each theme and the overarching theme of vulnerable captivity is identified. Hermeneutic phenomenology captured the meaning that the participants gave to the experience of being on hospitalized antepartum bed rest. Significantly important, is these views and that meaning is derived directly from the participant, “the one knowing” or the knower of this experience. Different than current studies, is that this study waited till the women had a chance to reflect on their experience and give meaning to it in their life, or as Van Manen calls it their lifeworld.
Conclusion: Findings from this study may contribute to closing the gap in knowledge and informs nursing practice that will allow continuation of care past the postpartum six-week period. This knowledge educates nurses and leads to improved practice by applying evidence-based information to update policies and advance nursing practice. Recommendation for further research is implementing qualitative research tools to measure the themes identified in this study. The study may also be duplicated using a variety in cultural and ethnic considerations.