This study was informed by phenomenology
and the reasons for using this approach were
two-fold. Firstly, within the social context of
nursing and midwifery, phenomenology is
considered an appropriate methodology and it
is often used in the health-care setting (Nagy
et al, 2010). Secondly, phenomenology aims to
develop insights into ‘lived experience’ from the
perspective of those involved in the experience
(Mapp, 2008). This approach explores and
emphasises the meanings of the phenomenon
from the centrality of the participant (Mapp,
2008), which is consistent with midwifery’s
valuing of the individual woman (Page, 2000).