https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52216 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:20:58 GMT 2026-04-13T08:20:58Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/63954 Title: Adjustment to motherhood after twin birth Abstract: Adjusting to motherhood is an intense process and is unique to each mother. Motherhood brings with it a series of gains and losses, the mother has to arrange her lifestyle to suit this new role and she would be in great need of support to undergo this change. The aim of this study is to explore how mothers adjust themselves to the role of motherhood after having twin babies. An exploratory non-experimental research study was designed and data was collected by means of face to face semi-structured interviews. Perceptions were sought through the experiences of each corresponding mother. Ten mothers, each of whom had twin babies agreed to participate voluntarily in this study. Manual thematic analysis was used to identify the themes from the interview schedules. Findings suggested that motherhood brings with it positive and negative perceptions; in mothers of twin babies the negative aspect is higher. Respondents in order to build a relationship spend a lot of time interacting with the infants, and they aim to spend quality time not only while caring for them. Respondents reported that individualisation of the infants is very important to them because the twin babies are two distinct individuals although they might look alike. Moreover they experienced several stresses which perhaps mothers of singletons are unaware of They established various coping strategies and made changes in their priorities in order to cope with this change. Support was a vital factor in this transition and it mostly consisted of physical, emotional and some financial help. Some limitations included the use of convenience sampling and that the study was carried out retrospectively, on the past (last three months) experience of the mothers. In view of these findings, several recommendations for further research, practice and education were put forward. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MIDWIFERY Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/63954 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/63948 Title: Spirituality of mothers' during labour and delivery Abstract: The aim of this small-scale study is to explore spirituality of mothers during labour and delivery. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, consisting of both closed-ended and open-ended questions. Questionnaires were distributed to a convenience sample of 30 eligible mothers in the postnatal ward of the General Hospital in Malta. This small scale study had six sections that directly addressed the different areas of spirituality which may enhance mothers' labour and delivery experience. These sections included: connection to a spiritual being, meaning and purpose in life, spiritual strength, faith, appreciation for nature and inner peace of the mind, body and soul. Findings showed that mothers were able to cope with the difficult time of labour and delivery by having a connection with a spiritual being and collecting inner spiritual strength. During this experience, finding inner peace and harmony within one's self may be difficult for some mothers, but each individual can still have hope and strive to have a unique connection within themselves. Findings also showed that faith, nature and inner peace of their mind, body and soul helped mothers adapt and provided them with courage to make it through this difficult time of labour and delivery. Mothers stated that there were many times when they wanted to give up but kept going, enabling them to remain focused on their midwife's instruction and the satisfaction that they will feel once they hold their newborn baby in their arms. A set of recommendations was oriented to the clinical practice, education and further research. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MIDWIFERY Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/63948 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/63881 Title: Mothers' perceptions of maternity care Abstract: This study aimed to examine the Maltese mothers' perceptions of the maternity care that they received throughout their pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. The objectives of this study were to describe the mothers' experiences of the maternity care, to determine if the maternity care they received reached up to their expectations, to assess if the women were given the information that they needed and to examine if the women were involved in decision making. Ethical approval was granted by the Nursing/Midwifery Dissertation Panel Board of Studies; the Research Ethics Committee of the Institute of Health Care, University of Malta and from the Director of Primary Health Care. To fulfill the study's aim, a self administered structured questionnaire was used. Thirty Maltese female clients who had given birth to a healthy baby, had a normal vaginal delivery, were primagravida or multigravida, and were attending for their postnatal visit at a Primary Health Centre were included in this study. A 100% response rate was obtained. Results revealed that the majority of the women perceived the overall maternity care received as reaching up to their expectations. Yet, several responses were given regarding care at each phase of maternity care. Women seemed to have enough information on smoking and folic acid during the antenatal period; however the responses varied with regards to information on other topics. During labour and birth, the majority of the participants were provided with information and explanations about what was happening and why the procedures were necessary. Various responses were provided regarding information, help, support, advice and privacy received in the postnatal period. Although the majority of the participants stated that they were involved in decision making during labour and birth, some of them wanted to be more involved. Results were discussed and compared to the literature in order to focus on the objectives of the study. These results are limited to the sample of participants in this study. Recommendations include providing information in the form of booklets and/or leaflets, providing hands-on experience, spending quality time with the mother and promotion of the midwifery profession. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MIDWIFERY Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/63881 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/63837 Title: Mother's knowledge of pain relief in labour Abstract: The aim of this small scale exploratory study was to explore mother's knowledge of pain relief during labour. The ability of the mothers to make an informed choice regarding their choice of pain relief in labour was also studied. This study was conducted in the Ante-Natal Ward of St. Luke's Hospital, after the relevant permissions were obtained. A sample of 25 mothers took part in the study. Data was collected through questionnaires which contained closed-ended questions and the data was analyzed using quantitative analysis. Results from this study showed that mothers had some knowledge regarding pain relief in labour, but seemed to concentrate more on mentioning pharmacological methods rather than non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. The mothers also seemed satisfied with the knowledge about pain relief that was given to them, which was mainly achieved from ~· parent education classes as well as from relatives and friends. Mothers who had attended up to tertiary education schooling seemed more inclined to get additional information from books than were mothers who had attended up to secondary education. Nearly all the mothers had some knowledge of the existence of side effects with the pharmacological methods; however, it was also found that only half of the mothers felt confident enough to make an informed choice regarding their pain relief in labour. No significant difference was found in knowledge of pain relief from mothers who were primiparous, and mothers who were multiparous. The multiparous mothers were also however, in most cases satisfied with the pain relief methods that they had tried in their previous labour/s. As a result of this study, limitations and recommendations for practice were noted and suggestions for further research into the field were given, as it was found that more information is required from the health professionals closest to the mothers, which in this case would be the midwives. Due to this being a small-scale study, no conclusions can be drawn. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MIDWIFERY Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/63837 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z