Abstract
M.Cur.
This explorative and descriptive qualitative study was designed to investigate the
views of Botswana adults of childbearing age towards support during labour and
childbirth. An explorative, descriptive, contextual and qualitative design was
adopted for the study. Data collection was achieved through group discussions
with four focus groups from urban and rural environments. Tesch's (1990 in
Creswell, 1994: 154 - 156) approach to qualitative data analysis, combined with
Colaizzi's (1978: 59 - 61, in Holloway and Wheeler, 1996: 125) methodology,
has been used to analyse the data. Guba and Lincoln's model for ensuring trustworthiness has been used to substantiate the trustworthiness of this research. Theoretical support for the findings of this study was undertaken to compare them with similar or relevant studies done on support during labour and childbirth. Participants in this study clearly asserted that women need support during labour and birth and this assertion is fully supported by the reviewed literature. Limitations of the study have been noted, guidelines on supporting the woman during labour and birth have been developed and recommendations that are geared towards improving midwifery education, practice and research, have been made.