Exploring the Medicalization of Childbirth and its Effects on Postnatal Health Outcomes in Urban Areas of Lahore, Pakistan.
Abstract
The Natural Process of Childbirth has advanced from being supported by midwives to the events of highest medicalized nature in hospital setting with various medical interventions. This transition shaped by professionalization of obstetrics and advancements in medical technology has raised a wide range of concerns that includes the overuse of medical interventions and its impact on postnatal health outcomes. There exists limited number of studies that has studied the experiences of women and healthcare providers regarding medicalized childbirth especially in Urban Lahore. This study aim was to understand and investigate medicalized experiences of both mother and its implications regarding postnatal health outcomes. Qualitative research design was chosen, in which Sixteen Interviews were conducted from a diverse range of participants and healthcare providers across different tertiary health units (THQs) and private clinics within Lahore. While conducting the interviews, it was audio recorded and responses was later transcribed verbatim for each question to identify key themes using Inductive thematic analysis. During the interviews field notes were also taken.
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