A WOMAN-CENTRED CHILDBIRTH MODEL

A model for woman-centred childbirth was developed through four phases in accordance with the objectives of the study, namely, a description of mothers' experiences of childbirth and that of attending midwives of managing mothers during childbirth concept analysis of woman-centred care, model development, and an evaluation phase. The identified concepts and sub-concepts were classified and developed into in a conceptual model within the six elements of the practice theory, as outlined by Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach's (1968:423) survey list cited by Madela-Mntla (1999:69) in Tlakula (1999:119). These elements are recipient, agent, context, procedure, purpose and dynamic. The relational statements derived after conceptualisation of each of the six concepts were inferred through the process of deductive analysis and synthesis. The development of the woman-centred childbirth model contained six components, namely, goals, concepts, definitions, relationships, structures and assumptions, as outlined in Chinn and Jacobs (1987:116). The model was evaluated in accordance with Chinn and Kramer's (1995:134-135) method and refined by experts in midwifery practice and model generation. Limitations were recognised and recommendations made.