Graduation Year
2023
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Primary Major
Nursing
Primary Minor
Leadership
Thesis Advisor
Patricia Harris, PhD, RN, CNS
Abstract
Childbirth is a very intense and vulnerable experience, especially for first-time mothers. Across the globe, the prevalence of traumatic and unsatisfying births has become an increasingly troublesome issue for women. There is extensive evidence of maltreatment, and a large portion of the problem has to do with the client’s medical team. To combat this dilemma, the best course of action would be to prepare women for this possibility by increasing the client’s self-efficacy and decision-making abilities. Self-efficacy, also known as confidence in one’s skills, is an important trait to have when it comes to patients being able to advocate for themselves. Since it is most common for first-time mothers to face these problems in the hospital, it would be more beneficial to become more educated in pregnancy, thus creating higher confidence. It will be more likely for clients to have an easier time making choices for themselves and their care due to the development of preparedness through proper education. Education and collaboration are some of the most effective ways to increase self-efficacy. It has been found that there is a gap in the research to support the positive relationship between education implementation and self-efficacy so this will be the focal point.
This thesis will focus on displaying the prevalence of obstetric maltreatment and why it is such an important problem in our society. There will be further divulging into solutions that have been implemented to increase self-efficacy, thus also increasing informed decision-making in primiparous women. Topics will all be analyzed more deeply in a literature review where conclusions will be drawn about the main topic overall. Afterward, a study proposal will be formulated in relation to the literature review that will describe how educational methods can improve self-efficacy and its effectiveness in creating high birth satisfaction rates in first time mothers.