Birthing Experiences among Multiparous Women in Urban Ghana: A Qualitative Descriptive Study in the Kumasi Metropolis

Abstract

Background: Childbirth is a significant physiological and psychosocial event with lasting implications for women’s physical, emotional, and social well-being, as well as for their future health-seeking behaviours and those of their families. Aim: This study aimed to explore the childbirth experiences of multiparous women in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana, guided by the WHO framework for a positive childbirth experience. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used. The study took place from July to September, 2021 at three health facilities (a tertiary and two secondary) within the Kumasi Metropolis. A purposive sample of twelve multiparous women aged 20–45 years, who had vaginal deliveries and were attending six-week postnatal clinics, was recruited. Data was collected using either a one-on-one face-to-face approach in a dedicated space within the health facilities or via a telephone based on the client’s preference with a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed manually using inductive content analysis. Results: Three major themes emerged: clients’ expectations, emotional support, and informational needs. Some women reported positive support, while others encountered neglect and unresponsiveness. A strong desire for birth companionship was expressed, though it was often unmet due to institutional restrictions. Informational needs were frequently unmet, with many participants reporting inadequate orientation to the ward and a lack of explanation about procedures. If caregivers become supportive, clients find the hospital safe enough for future use. Irrespective of the treatment given to them, the care outcome was paramount, and that defined parturient experiences. Conclusion: The quality of interpersonal care remains a decisive factor in shaping multiparous women’s childbirth experiences in urban Ghana. Persistent gaps between respectful maternity care policies and clinical practice continue to undermine positive birth experiences. Multiparity does not insulate women from negative care; instead, prior experiences heighten expectations of quality. Embedding respectful communication, emotional support, and birth companionship into routine intrapartum care, alongside addressing workforce and workload challenges, is essential for improving maternal satisfaction and promoting positive childbirth outcomes.