Having a Known, Trusted Support Person During Labour and Birth: Perceptions of Indonesian (Javanese) Women, Their Support Persons and Midwives
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Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses: Doctorates and Masters Theses 7-16-2019 Having a known, trusted support person during labour and birth: Perceptions of Indonesian (Javanese) women, their support persons and midwives Natalia Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses Part of the Social Work Commons, South and Southeast Asian Languages and Societies Commons, and the Women's Studies Commons Recommended Citation Natalia (2019). Having a known, trusted support person during labour and birth: Perceptions of Indonesian (Javanese) women, their support persons and midwives. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2220 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2220 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. 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Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form. Having a Known, Trusted Support Person during Labour and Birth: Perceptions of Indonesian (Javanese) Women, Their Support Persons and Midwives This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Natalia Edith Cowan University School of Arts and Humanities 2019 ABSTRACT Childbirth is a life changing experience for women, yet most women feel anxious with regard to this event. Research has shown that support from family or friends can help to reduce ZRPHQ¶Vanxiety intrapartum, however, the standard procedure at most maternity centres in Indonesia is to not allow any person in the birthing room except midwives. This study investigated the impact of the presence of a support person on the anxiety of women giving birth in Surabaya, Indonesia. The originality of this study is in trying to understand the ¶whole picture¶ about support during labour and childbirth by listening to women, their support persons, and midwives who care for them during this episode. Most studies have looked at WKLVH[SHULHQFHIURPZRPHQ¶VRUVXSSRUWSHUVRQV¶ perceptions only, however, it is important to hear from caregivers as well in order to understand the phenomenon fully. The findings provide the basis of recommendations about for Indonesian maternity care, particularly those within the Javanese culture. A qualitative approach, specifically narrative inquiry, was used to answer the following research questions: How do childbearing women birthing in an Indonesian (Surabaya) maternity centre interpret the presence of a known, trusted support person and experience their impact on their birth-related anxiety? How do support persons experience their role during labour and childbirth? How do midwives experience the support during labour and childbirth? Twenty-one women, their support persons, and midwives who provide intrapartum care participated in this study. Data were collected from March to December 2016. ii The major finding of this study was that the key factor in whether women felt supported or not during labour and childbirth depended on how well prepared, HPRWLRQDOO\DYDLODEOHDQGµRQWKHLUVLGH¶their support persons was. Well prepared, emotionally DYDLODEOHDQGµRQVLGH¶support persons were perceived as trustworthy by the women. When supported by this type of support person, the participant women had positive experiences of labour and childbirth. In contrast, unengaged support persons who ZHUHQRWµRQVLGH¶were perceived as not trustworthy by the women. As a consequence of having this type of support person with them intrapartum, the women had a negative experience of labour and childbirth. Therefore, this study recommends preparation classes for potential support persons so they can provide effective support for women during labour and childbirth. This study has the potential to contribute to improvements in maternity care services for childbearing women, support persons, and midwives in Indonesia, particularly those within the Javanese culture, and other countries with a similar birthing culture. Keywords: anxiety, childbirth, support person, Indonesia. iii I certify that this thesis does not, to the best of my knowledge and belief: i. incorporate without acknowledgment any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution of higher education; ii. contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text of this thesis; or iii. contain any defamatory material. March 2019 Natalia iv "Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." (Luke 1: 38) Thanks be to God and Holy Mary for the blessing and mercy through the Hail Mary Novena and Rosary Prayer v Kupersembahkan karya sederhana ini untuk keluargaku tercinta, teristimewa untuk adikku tercinta, Cyrilla Johanna Siswajanti, satu-satunya orang yang menjadi Ibu dari anak-anak orang tua kami, dan keponakanku tercinta, Cyrilla Callysta Michelle Oetomo, satu-satunya generasi penerus keluarga kami. (I dedicate this simple work to my beloved family, especially to my beloved sister, Cyrilla Johanna SiswajantiWKHRQO\PRWKHURIRXUSDUHQW¶VFKLOGUHQDQGP\EHORYHGQLHFH Cyrilla Callysta Michelle Oetomo, the only next generation of our family) The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother (Unknown). 7KDQNVIRUDOZD\VJLYLQJ\RXU³KHDUW´WR\RXUFKLOG UHQ 0XPDQG6LV« vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thanks be to God because only by His blessing and mercy finally I can finish this study that is a requirement of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the School of Arts and Humanities (Psychology), Edith Cowan University. Many obstacles, that have been predicted and also beyond prediction either, I found in this stuG\+RZHYHUEHFDXVHRI*RG¶VKHOSWKURXJKSHRSOHDURXQGPHILQDOO\ the obstacles can be overcome. Hopefully only the glory of God would be seen from this study. Therefore, with all humility, I would sincerely express my gratitude and give highest appreciation to those who supported me to finish this study, especially for: 1. Edith Cowan University, that granted me ECUPRS International for doing this study at the School of Arts and Humanities (Psychology), Edith Cowan University. 2. The Indonesian Government, who granted me a partial scholarship for supporting me doing this study at the School of Arts and Humanities (Psychology), Edith Cowan University. 3. Civitas Academica of the University of Surabaya, Indonesia, who allowed me to continue my study at the School of Arts and Humanities (Psychology), Edith Cowan University. vii 4. Professor Craig Speelman, Associate Dean Research, Professor of Psychology, Director of the Cognition Research Group, School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University, my principal supervisor who has given me the opportunity to be one of his students to study at the School of Arts and Humanities (Psychology), Edith Cowan University. His kindness, guidance, and support helped me doing this study. 5. Associate Professor Sara Bayes, Director of Midwifery Studies, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, my co-principal supervisor who has also given me the opportunity to be one of her students. Her kindness, guidance, and encouragement supported me doing this study. 6. Professor Joe Luca, the dean of Graduate Research School, Edith Cowan University who supported me doing this study. 7. Dr Martine Hawkins, the manager of Graduate Research School, Edith Cowan University who supported me doing this study. 8. Professor Ron Adams who supported me doing this study, especially during the writing retreat and workshop I attended at Edith Cowan University. 9. Edith Cowan University Graduate Research School support, especially Heather Williams, Joseph Sim, Dr Greg Maguire, Dr Jacqui Coombes, Kim Gifkins, Dr Amanda Harris, Dr Kylie Stevenson, Dr Jo McFarlane, Dr Ann Beveridge, Dr Marie-Louise McDermott who supported me doing this study. 10. Edith Cowan University School of Arts and Humanities especially Professor Julie Ann Pooley and Belinda Rogers who supported me doing this study. viii 11. Emma Chessell-Keevers, who gave me opportunity to become a SOAR ambassador at Edith Cowan University. 12. Edith Cowan University Graduate Research School community especially Narelle Jones, Bev Lurie, Mayyada Mhanna, Marziya Mohammedali, Sharon Smart, Calvin Wang, Dr Neil Ferguson and my fellow SOAR Ambassadors and friends: Michelle Tan, Arman Abednia, Felicity Higgs, Chaminda Ranasinghe, Hossein Raisi Varkani, Parisa Khatamian Far, Kunal Dhiman, Julia Lane, Eko Pam, Albert Amankwaa, Wendy Simpson, Saman Akbar Zadeh, Ronniet Orlando, Lucy, Benedicta Santoso, who supported me in my journey at Edith Cowan University. 13.