Running head: MATERNAL INTERVIEW

Maternal Interview
Harpreet Kaur
California State University, Stanislaus

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Maternal Interview

JK is a 60-year-old female who has been working as a nurse since 1971 (JK, personal
communication, October 25, 2013). She is currently working in a rehabilitation facility in
Modesto, California. She is the mother of two girls; she gave birth to her first daughter in 1981
in Chandigarh, Punjab, India, and then she gave birth to her second daughter in 1990 in Modesto,
California (JK, personal communication, October 25, 2013). She seemed an ideal candidate for
this interview because her perspective helps to obtain a nurses insight on giving birth.
Interviewee is authors, Harpreet Kaurs, aunt. Harpreet has known JK since birth. The author
received the verbal permission for this interview over the phone. The interview took place on
October 25, 2013 in authors home. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the two
births to one another and then compare and contrast them to current practices.
Birth Setting
JK gave birth to her first daughter on August 22, 1988 in an institution called Postgraduate
Institute of Medical Education Chandigarh and Research located in Chandigarh, Punjab, India
(JK, personal communication, October 25, 2013). It is a medical and research institution that
offers hospital services as well. JK worked in this hospital as a nurse; therefore, she was familiar
with the hospital setting. After admission, she was taken to an observation room where she
waited until she was ready for labor. When she was ready, she was transferred to the delivery
room that was well ventilated and lighted. It contained all the necessary equipment including
delivery bed, spotlights, oxygen and suctioning machine, etc. Both of these rooms were private
to ensure comfort, and they were well decorated with neutral colors and wooden furniture. For
her second birth, she delivered in Doctors Medical Center (DMC), Modesto, California on June
06, 1990. This time labor and delivery took place in the same room. She described the setting of

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the room being similar to the one in India except it was air-conditioned. After delivery, she
recovered in the postpartum unit (JK, personal communication, October 25, 2013). According to
Lowdermilk, Perry, Cashion, and Alden (2012), about 99 percent of all births in U.S. occur in
hospitals. Yet, the labor and birth services in the hospital setting differ depending on the unit the
patient is placed in. The units available in the hospitals are: labor and delivery, recovery, post
partum, and newborn nursery. On the other hand, some hospital birthing centers have one room
where the woman labors, delivers, and recovers. These units are equipped with fetal monitors,
emergency resuscitation equipment, and heated cribs or warmers, but this equipment is usually
placed out of sight in cabinets or closets. Other birth settings include birth centers and home birth
(Lowdermilk et al., 2012).
Pain Management
For her first daughter in India, she was in labor for 18 hours and was induced with Pitocin
during the last eight hours (JK, personal communication, October 25, 2013). Before she was
induced, she walked around in the room and in the hallway. She received epidural for pain
management. Moreover, she was instructed to take deep breaths and shallow breaths and bear
down while pushing. For her second daughter, her labor was much faster, as it lasted for only
one hour. She reached the hospital when she was five centimeters. She did not take medications;
however, she followed the relaxation techniques as the previous birth. Moreover, she was not
induced for her second daughter (JK, personal communication, October 25, 2013). Although
there are various pain management methods available today, epidural anesthesia and analgesia is
currently most effective pain relief method (Lowdermilk et al., 2012). About two third of
laboring women in America chose this method; thus, it the most commonly used form of pain
relief. Some of the non-pharmacological methods practiced now include relaxation techniques

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such music, meditation, and warm baths, slow-paced breathing, acupuncture, acupressure,
massage and touch, and counter pressure. Among the pharmacological methods are sedative and
analgesia and anesthesia. Sedatives might be suitable in lowering anxiety and promoting rest for
women in lengthy early labor. On the other hand, the type of analgesia and anesthetic is
determined by the stage of labor and birth method. It depends on the woman to choose pain
relief method and communicate her choice to the healthcare practitioner (Lowdermilk et al.,
2012).
Paternal Involvement
Because of the cultural restrictions, JKs husband was not allowed to stay with her through
the labor (JK, personal communication, October 25, 2013). Nevertheless, he visited her for few
minutes while she was waiting in the observation room and left. He was more involved in the
labor for their second daughter because he was able to stay with JK in the room. He massaged
her back while she was pushing, cut the umbilical cord, and held her hand throughout the
procedure (JK, personal communication, October 25, 2013). According to Lowdermilk et al.,
(2012), along with reassuring the laboring women, the partner can also motivate the woman to
try non-pharmacological methods and communicate the desires and needs of woman to
caregivers when she is not able to.
Role of the Nurse and Care Routine
For both births, JK described her experienced with the nurses as being extremely pleasant
(JK, personal communication, October 25, 2013). Fortunately, two of her close friends delivered
her first daughter. Consequently, she felt comfortable in their presence. While one nurse
monitored her vital signs, progression of labor, and fetal heart rate, the other nurse updated her
on her current status. Because JKs husband was not in the room, they could not provide him

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any support. The nurses at DMC were able to accomplish this by involving him in the care. He
was allowed to push down on her back to aid the contractions, cut the umbilical cord, and talk
her through labor. Also, they supported her by telling her to push, updating on her status, and
stroking her hand. JKs older daughter did not want to leave her parents, thus she accompanied
them to the labor and delivery unit and sat at the nurses station. JK mentioned she was very
impressed with the way nurses took care of her (JK, personal communication, October 25, 2013).
Nowadays, the nurses may help the woman by encouraging her to maintain control, remaining
nonjudgmental and respectful regarding religion and culture, meeting her expectations about
labor, advocating and supporting her decisions when appropriate, and acknowledging her and her
partners effort during labor (Lowdermilk et al., 2012). JK stated that there was not anything
specific she did for first birth besides walking and breathing exercises (JK, personal
communication, October 25, 2013). Moreover, she did not have limitations or restrictions
regarding birthing process. For the first birth, the nurses provided her a bed bath and perineal
care, and changed her gown. JK showered and finished all the chores before reaching the
hospital for her second daughter. She stated that she was much more active and energetic. In the
hospital, the nurse asked her to wear gown, attached a tocodynamometer, and started an
intravenous (IV) line with lactated ringers, and performed a vaginal exam (JK, personal
communication, October 25, 2013). Including all these actions, the nurse may also assist the
woman with bed bath, oral hygiene, hand washing, voiding, bowel elimination, ambulation, and
catheter insertion (Lowdermilk et al., 2012).

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Use of Technology

JK mentioned that there was limited technology available during her first labor (J. Kaler,
personal communication, October 25, 2013). It included the fetoscope for fetal heart
auscultation, manual blood pressure for mothers blood pressure monitoring, and stethoscope for
auscultating her lungs and heart sounds. By the time of next birth, the technology was far
advanced. It included electronic vital signs machine, tocodynamometer, and IV infusion pumps
(J. Kaler, personal communication, October 25, 2013). Currently in United States, electronic
fetal monitor (EFM) is the main method of intrapartum fetal assessment and frequently
performed obstetric procedure similar to how it was during JKs second birth (Lowdermilk et al.,
2012). It includes external monitoring such as ultrasound transducer and tocotransducer or
tocodynamometer and internal monitoring such as spiral electrode and intrauterine pressure
catheter (IUPC). Other monitoring techniques include intermittent auscultation (IA) using
Pinard stethoscope, Doppler ultrasound, and DeLee- Hills fetoscope, and electronic fetal heart
monitoring (FHR). Additionally, about 85 percent of the women in America are monitored
electronically; however, IA is preferred for low risk women (Lowdermilk et al., 2012).
Events Surrounding Childbirth
JK does not recall any significant historical and political situations occurring during both
births (J. Kaler, personal communication, October 25, 2013). Though she does recall that her
husband was working full time when their first daughter was born, and he was not able to get
enough days off to stay home. Therefore, he minimally aided JK during pregnancy, labor, and
post delivery. Also, her mother in laws contribution was insignificant. Yet, despite the long
labor, JK recovered sooner unlike the second birth. She took two months off from work to
devote that time to their daughter. JKs husband was much more helpful in her second

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pregnancy. As mentioned before, he was present during the laboring process. Both of them
worked only two days in a week after the birth to spare more time for their flourishing family.
Moreover, her mother arrived from India few days after the delivery. JK stated that even though
her labor only lasted for an hour, she experienced more fatigue afterwards. Therefore, she was
thankful for the assistance by her mother and husband (JK, personal communication, October 25,
2013).
Cultural Beliefs and Practices
As mentioned earlier, JKs husband could not accompany her through the first birth as a
result of cultural obligations (JK, personal communication, October 25, 2013). In India, it is
inappropriate for the husband to see woman during the birthing process. Usually the mother or
mother-in-law is present with the women. Moreover, some women are uncomfortable with
having a male doctor or nurse in the room. Thus, around that time, most female doctors did the
deliveries. With the altered cultural atmosphere in the United States, he was welcomed in the
labor process. Culture also had its influence on food choices and naming of the child. JKs
mother and mother-in-law advised her to drink milk and eat almonds during both pregnancies. In
addition, she was suggested to avoid beans and legumes throughout pregnancy and 40 days after
birth to prevent gas and upset stomach. In postpartum period, she ate Panjeeri which is a
mixture of cashews, almonds, flour, sugar and oil heated until brown. It provides energy and
accelerates recovery. Finally, JK and her husband followed their cultural practices by waiting to
name their first child. They went to the Sikh temple a month after birth and named their
daughter. The process of naming involves using the first letter of the order or Hukamnama of
the day announced by the priest. However, for their second daughter, they named her within two

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days of hospital stay and visited the temple after discharge to get the blessings (JK, personal
communication, October 25, 2013).
Personal Meaning of the Birth Experience
For JK, giving birth is Gods blessing (JK, personal communication, October 25, 2013). She
feels that each child brings his or her own set of happiness and joy to the family. Having a first
child means transitioning into a mothers role, embracing another persons responsibility and
being unselfish. In addition, second child adds another dimension to the family, demands more
time and organization, and requires even more responsibility. As a nurse, she was aware of the
experiences and expectations associated with labor, birth, and postpartum. Hence, she was
somewhat prepared when it was her time to go through this process. Nonetheless, it is not
possible to be completely ready, as each birth is unique period of a learning opportunity (JK,
personal communication, October 25, 2013).
As a mother, JK appreciates and acknowledges the wonderful care provided by the nurses.
The familiar environment and faces and pain management comforted her through first prolonged
labor when her husband could not accompany her due to cultural and career obligations. In
addition, husbands presence, shorter duration, and updated technology eased the second labor.
Although both births were slightly different, her experience overall has been pleasing and
humbling.

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References

Lowdermilk, D. L., Perry, S. E., Cashion, K., Alden, K. R. (2012). Maternity and womens health
care. (10th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Inc.