Rebirth of the Meaning of Natural Childbirth: A Qualitative Study on the Perceived Impacts of Effective Midwife-Mother Communication among Iranian Midwives and Mothers.

BACKGROUND: Although effective communication between midwives and mothers is linked to positive physiological and emotional outcomes, research on this topic within maternity wards remains limited, and both perspectives have not been adequately explored. A comprehensive understanding of these perceived impacts is essential to highlight the importance of communication in maternity care. This study aims to explore the perceived impacts of effective midwife-mother communication in the maternity ward. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative approach was adopted to explore perceptions of effective midwife-mother communication using the conventional content analysis method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between July and October 2023 with 11 midwives and 12 postpartum mothers in the maternity wards of Ahvaz, Iran. Participants consisted of midwives working in maternity units and mothers who had experienced vaginal births, selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed one central theme: the rebirth of the meaning of natural childbirth, supported by three themes: 1) reshaping mothers' beliefs and attitudes toward childbearing, 2) meaning-making in natural childbirth, and 3) improving the quality of midwifery services. CONCLUSIONS: Effective communication between midwives and mothers can help restore values and positive emotions and redefine the meaning and experience of natural childbirth. It is recommended that comprehensive frameworks or guidelines for effective communication be developed and integrated into midwifery curricula, training programs, and clinical interventions. Future studies should focus on communication processes and barriers across different maternity care settings to identify effective practices and areas for improvement.