Table 3 The analytical process
From: Encountering abuse in health care; lifetime experiences in postnatal women - a qualitative study
Meaning units (selected) | Themes (selected) | Categories |
|---|---|---|
Lack of competence by healthcare professionals | The abuse as a non-physical act | Abusive acts of non-intended harm |
Initial great respect for the healthcare system | Not intentional | |
Complete failure by the system | ||
Fear of potential consequences to life and health | Not being met with empathy | Dehumanization |
Fear of punishment | Not being seen as a human individual | |
Being alone and abandoned | Loss of trust | |
Struggling to survive | ||
Treated with contempt | ||
Fear of being seen as disgusting | ||
Fear of being a burden | ||
Not wanting to relate to bodily femininity | Distorted perception of body | Bodily remembrance |
Lost confidence in capability of body | Affected reproductive health | |
To experience severe fear of childbirth | ||
Future wish for CS | ||
Rather adopt than go through childbirth | ||
Creating a sense of security | Finding inner strength | Finding the strength to move on |
Confronting own fear | Getting help from others | |
Learned to trust one’s self | ||
Finding the strength when crossing barriers |