Communication and Birth Experiences Among Black Birthing People Who Experienced Preterm Birth.

PURPOSE: Physically or psychologically distressing birth experiences can influence postpartum health, parenting efficacy, and future pregnancy plans. Communication deficits contribute to negative birth experiences. This qualitative analysis explored themes related to communication and negative birth experiences among Black birthing people who experienced preterm birth. METHODS: We conducted qualitative interviews with non-Hispanic Black, English language-proficient birthing people with Medicaid-insured preterm infants. Interviews were designed to explore experiences with health care access and well-being after birth. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded following an integrated approach where we applied a priori codes and captured emergent themes from the data. RESULTS: We interviewed 30 participants from October 2018 to July 2021. Median gestational age at birth was 30 weeks (range 22-36 weeks). Interviews occurred a median of 7 months postpartum (range 2-34 months). Themes emerged related to negative birth experiences and communication: (1) communication gaps during urgent or emergent intrapartum procedures contributed to negative birth experiences; (2) postpartum opportunities to share birth experiences, particularly with peers, sometimes mitigated the psychological consequences of negative birth experiences; (3) participants did not consistently discuss concerns about future pregnancy risk related to negative birth experiences with clinical teams. CONCLUSIONS: Themes from this sample of Black birthing people who experienced preterm birth suggest 3 ways health systems might intervene to improve communication to mitigate the consequences of negative birth experiences. Improvement efforts in these areas may improve postpartum health, future pregnancy outcomes, and long-term health.

A Qualitative Study of Perspectives of Black Women on Autonomy and Motivational Interviewing.

Purpose: Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based strategy to modify health behaviors, including some risk factors for adverse birth outcomes. Black women, who have disproportionately high rates of adverse birth outcomes, have reported mixed preferences on MI. This study explored the acceptability of MI among Black women who are at high risk for adverse birth outcomes. Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews with women with a history of preterm birth. Participants were English-language proficient and had Medicaid-insured infants. We purposively oversampled women whose infants had medical complexity. Interviews explored experiences with health care and health behaviors after birth. The interview guide was iteratively developed to obtain specific reactions to MI by including videos demonstrating MI-consistent and MI-inconsistent counseling. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded following an integrated approach in which we applied a priori codes related to MI and allowed themes to emerge from the data. Results: We interviewed 30 non-Hispanic Black women from October 2018 to July 2021. Eleven viewed the videos. Participants emphasized the importance of autonomy in decision-making and health behavior. Participants expressed a preference for MI-consistent clinical approaches, including autonomy support and building rapport, considering them respectful, nonjudgmental, and likely to support change. Conclusions: In this sample of Black women with a history of preterm birth, participants valued an MI-consistent clinical approach. Incorporating MI into clinical care may improve the experience of health care among Black women, thus serving as one strategy to promote equity in birth outcomes.