Labour, Induced, Membrane Stripping, Patient Experience, Phenomenology
Conditions
Brief summary
This qualitative phenomenological study explores women's experiences with membrane sweeping, a common mechanical method of labor induction. Membrane sweeping is considered a low-cost and low-risk procedure recommended by several guidelines, including NICE, before proceeding to pharmacological or mechanical induction. Despite its widespread use, little evidence is available regarding how women perceive and experience this procedure. In this single-center, prospective observational study, women with low-risk singleton pregnancies between 40+0 and 41+2 weeks of gestation will be recruited at the Oltretermine outpatient clinic of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Rome. After providing informed consent, participants who undergo membrane sweeping will be invited to take part in a semi-structured interview within 48-72 hours postpartum during hospital stay. The primary objective is to describe women's lived experiences of membrane sweeping at term. Secondary objectives include describing women's sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics and their overall birth experience. Data will be analyzed thematically to identify recurring concepts and themes. This study is independent, non-funded, and will enroll approximately 12-20 women, until data saturation is reached. All procedures comply with the Declaration of Helsinki, GDPR, and national privacy regulations.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Women aged \>18 and ≤40 years * Women with singleton pregnancy * Women with cephalic presentation * Women able to read and understand the Italian language * Women with gestational age between 40+0 and 41+2 weeks * Signed informed consent provided by the participant
Exclusion criteria
* Women younger than 18 years or older than 40 years * Women unable to read and understand the Italian language
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lived experience of membrane sweeping | Within 48-72 hours after childbirth | Qualitative description of women's perceptions, feelings, and overall experience related to membrane sweeping at term. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically. |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed