Listening to the Voices of Healthcare Providers Who Involved in a New Birthing Room Design: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Study

Background Birth is a process which encompasses neurohormonal, physiological and psychological elements, but is mainly controlled by oxytocinergic mechanisms. Neurohormonal processes can be impacted negatively by the external environment, since an unknown and stressful environment can trigger the sympathetic nervous system, and thus repress the amount of endogenous oxytocin being released. This, in turn, can weaken or even stop labor contractions. Alternative birth environments can not only reduce the effects of negative healthcare, but can also result in women having a positive perception of patient-centered care and its capacity to meet the health and social care needs of future generations. Methods An interpretative phenomenological qualitative approach was conducted in a government hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Data collection involved conducting semi-structured interviews with 15 participants. The sample consisted of physicians, and midwives, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives. Results An interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted for data analysis. One core category Supportive Birth Environment for Natural Childbirth with four emerged from the data analysis. The four themes are: supporting natural birth through room design; providing private space through the new design; the influence of birthing room design on midwives’ roles; and suggestions and recommendations. Conclusion All participants demonstrated awareness of the advantages of the new birth room design for the mothers' psychological well-being and normal, natural childbirth, which can help contribute to a positive experience during their hospital stay. However, additional efforts are required to deliver massage to the decision-makers and responsible authorities at the Ministry of Health about the significance of the new birthing room design on the mothers’ experience, aiming to foster their understanding of the importance of redesigning the birthing room at the national and international level.