Feelings and fears post obstetric emergencies -- 2.

We have previously described women's experiences of obstetric emergencies. This second paper describes the postnatal consequences. Training for managing specific obstetric emergencies is available to healthcare professionals. However this training is not always informed of how women have perceived their experience. This study provides a picture of women's experiences of these traumatic events during chidbirth. This qualitative study followed a phenomenoiogical methodology. Selection criteria was specifically aimed at women who had experienced one or more of the following types of emergencies during childbirth - cord prolapse, placental abruption, shoulder dystocia, uterine scar rupture, severe pre-eclampsia and major postpartum haemorrhage. Ten women were interviewed - they described their lived experiences of the emergencies. The study has raises issues for the improvement in care in an emergency setting and has implications for 'debriefing' in the postnatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]