Perception of Women Toward Childbirth Positions Among Women on Postnatal Unit at Jimma Medical Center, South West Ethiopia: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study

Objective: To explore the perceptions of women toward child birthing positions among women on the postnatal unit at Jimma Medical Center, Jimma town, Ethiopia, in 2020. Design: A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed among women from the postnatal unit and maternity care providers from the labor and delivery unit. Setting: Jimma Medical Center, south-west Ethiopia Participants: 40 study participants were selected purposively. 30 postnatal women were recruited for both an in-depth interview and a focus group discussion. From maternity health care providers, 10 health professionals were interviewed. Results: This study involved 30 study participants for in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion with 10 participants. Regarding the variables influencing the use of alternative birth positions in the medical facility, responses were obtained from both women and medical professionals. The women were placed in common supine positions because they were ignorant of other birth positions, because they were passive in allowing themselves to be in the position that they preferred, and because medical professionals lacked the necessary knowledge and expertise to provide alternative birth positions. Conclusion and Recommendations: The women were coerced to take birth positions against their will by healthcare providers. Thus, evidence-based alternative birth positions should be made available and implemented in order to enhance the practice of healthcare providers.