Spirituality of mothers' during labour and delivery

Abstract

The aim of this small-scale study is to explore spirituality of mothers during labour and delivery. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, consisting of both closed-ended and open-ended questions. Questionnaires were distributed to a convenience sample of 30 eligible mothers in the postnatal ward of the General Hospital in Malta. This small scale study had six sections that directly addressed the different areas of spirituality which may enhance mothers' labour and delivery experience. These sections included: connection to a spiritual being, meaning and purpose in life, spiritual strength, faith, appreciation for nature and inner peace of the mind, body and soul. Findings showed that mothers were able to cope with the difficult time of labour and delivery by having a connection with a spiritual being and collecting inner spiritual strength. During this experience, finding inner peace and harmony within one's self may be difficult for some mothers, but each individual can still have hope and strive to have a unique connection within themselves. Findings also showed that faith, nature and inner peace of their mind, body and soul helped mothers adapt and provided them with courage to make it through this difficult time of labour and delivery. Mothers stated that there were many times when they wanted to give up but kept going, enabling them to remain focused on their midwife's instruction and the satisfaction that they will feel once they hold their newborn baby in their arms. A set of recommendations was oriented to the clinical practice, education and further research.