The un-silencing of Japanese women's voices in maternity care: A hermeneutic phenomenological study of the woman–midwife relationship

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this article is to understand the meaning of the woman–midwife relationship, with the overall aim to improve maternity care and women's birth experiences in Japan. To better understand the meaning of the woman–midwife relationship, this article presents women's and midwives’ experiences of having or not having a voice in maternity care. Research designHermeneutic phenomenology, as described by Max van Manen, helped to uncover the meaning of the phenomenon—the woman–midwife relationship—through participants’ lived experience. Individual interviews were conducted with 14 women and 10 midwives living in Japan. The interview data were interpreted and thematically analysed to reveal the meaning of the woman–midwife relationship. Findings‘Having a voice’ emerged as a central theme underpinning the meaning of the woman–midwife relationship; aspects of which included, 1) being unheard, 2) losing a voice, 3) having a voice, and 4) midwives speaking for women. Although having a voice should be a legitimate right for women in maternity care, some women's voices were unheard or lost in the experience with midwives. Conversely, some women gained a voice, especially when they positively and continuously developed their relationship with their midwife. How the woman and the midwife related to each other clearly affected their experience of having a voice in maternity care. Key conclusionHaving a voice, which portrays dimensions of choice, control, and autonomy, in their own maternity care is vital for women's positive birth experience. The woman–midwife relationship is critical in enabling women to have a voice and midwives to speak for women. Women and midwives need to develop their relationship. Moreover, the maternity care system needs to allow sufficient time and space, for instance, by ensuring midwife continuity of care to develop a positive woman–midwife relationship.