"I need to make sense of my birth experience": A descriptive qualitative study of postnatal women's opinions, and expectations about postnatal debriefing.

BACKGROUND: Evidence shows that women feel valued and satisfied after discussing their birth experiences. However, uncertainties persist surrounding the concept of postnatal debriefing practice. AIM: To explore the opinions and expectations of women relating to postnatal debriefing and their experiences when the postnatal debriefing is not presented. METHOD: A descriptive qualitative study of 20 postnatal women was conducted using in-depth semi-structured interviews from April-May 2023. Thematic analysis was applied to the data collected in interviews. RESULTS: Analysis of interview data generated three main themes and nine sub-themes. Women wanted to make sense of their birth experience They expressed their opinions on the components of postnatal debriefing They advocated for all women to be offered this practice by known healthcare professionals who interact with them They do not want to only talk about their birth experience but also meet their needs Women agree that expectations related to birth determine the need for the practice. They hoped for psychological adaptation by relieving their distress and gaining a sense of closure. The discussion process was expected to prevent reflection of trauma to the future and provide transition to the postnatal period. CONCLUSION: The present study explored women perceptions and expectations of postnatal debriefing. Healthcare professionals should behave sensitively to women's expectations and needs in relation to their birth experience. Further research is warranted to clarify the components and effects of postnatal debriefing practice to develop consolidated guidance.

A grounded theory of resilience experiences of women with gynecological cancer.

PURPOSE: The present study aims to develop an explanatory framework to gain a deeper understanding of the resilience process in women diagnosed with gynecological cancers. METHOD: Informed by Salutogenesis Model, a Straussian-grounded theory study was conducted. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 women with gynecological cancer between January and August 2022. Data were analyzed using open, axial, selective coding, and constant comparative methods. RESULTS: The core category encapsulated that most women defined resilience as having a dynamic process that could be promoted throughout the process. However, they expressed that they needed "individual resources for resilience" and "generated resources by the supportive interventions" to be resilient. They emphasized that these resources should make the process manageable, meaningful, and comprehensible to promote resilience. Furthermore, they defined in detail which components should be included in supportive interventions. They stated "some reflections of resilience on their cancer process" and "life gains from the process." CONCLUSION: This study developed a grounded theory that provides a guideline for healthcare professionals on how women could be encouraged to have resilience and what is the importance of resilience on women's cancer process and their lives. Salutogenesis may help to understand the resilience process in women with gynecological cancer and provides direction for how healthcare professionals should shape their clinical interventions to promote the resilience process.

The relationship between maternal function and maternal attachment of women during the postpartum period.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between maternal functions including self-care and adjustment and maternal attachment during the postpartum period. BACKGROUND: Mothers adapt to their new role during the postpartum period by recognising both their baby and their physical, emotional, and social recovery. During this period, a mother's interaction with her baby supports attachment. METHOD: The study design was planned as a descriptive-relational type. The study was performed in two Family Healthcare Centres located in Antalya city, Turkey country. The population of the study consisted of 250 mothers aged 18-45 years who had a postpartum period between 8 and 11 weeks. A simple sampling method was used. Data were collected using the mothers' identification forms, the Barkin Index of Maternal Function, and the Maternal Attachment Inventory. The forms were administered to mothers via the face-to-face interview method. Numerical, percental, and relational statistical methods as well as arithmetic means were used in the data analysis. RESULTS: The mean score of the Barkin Index of the Maternal Function was 76.97 ± 10.19 and the mean score of the Maternal Attachment Inventory was 100.92 ± 3.17. There was a positive, low, and significant relationship between maternal function and maternal attachment (r = 0.22, p = 0.00). There was a positive, low, and significant relationship between maternal attachment and self-care, maternal psychology, infant care, social support, and maternal adjustment scores. CONCLUSION: The maternal attachment level was found to be high in women with high maternal function. To develop the relationship between functional status and maternal attachment, mothers may provided with social support and, if necessary, psychological support.

'It was difficult, but our struggle to touch lives gave us strength': The experience of nurses working on COVID-19 wards.

BACKGROUND: Nurses are considered important healthcare professionals during the management of the pandemic process due to the considerable amount of time they spend in the face-to-face nursing of infected patients. To optimise the service of healthcare workers, it is recommended that the mental health needs of the health workforce are addressed. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the experiences and coping strategies of Turkish nurses working in pandemic units. METHODS: A grounded theory design was applied. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 nurses. The data were analysed according to the constant comparative method. RESULTS: The study generated a core category ('It was difficult working in the unknown, but our struggle to touch lives gave us strength'), showing that all nurses felt heroic via the satisfaction of touching patients' lives and uncertain. Four main categories emerged: being caught in the pandemic, empowerment for coping with the struggle, challenges during the coping process and effects of the pandemic on life. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses felt that their profession was sacred and valued by society, and comprehensive support had facilitated the process. Nurses had difficulty in managing their fear of infecting others and adapting to many new elements, the learning process and a lack of understanding of their role as team members. The nurses attending to the pandemic have experienced the effects of COVID-19 on their lives, such as psychological growth, psychological symptoms and being labelled as high risk. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses would be further empowered by government and society's support and acceptance of professionalism in nursing. The findings suggest that the resources for the psychological support of nurses in the pandemic should be increased. Regular and intensive training for nursing is necessary to promote adaptation and efficacy in crisis management.