Biomedical subjects

Mary Carolan

Publications and source records attributed to Mary Carolan.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Women's stories of birth: a suitable form of research evidence?

In the past one to two decades, midwifery care has taken a new direction, which encompasses a valuing of women's birth experiences. This move has been contingent upon, and congruent with the adoption of 'woman centred' care and a renewed emphasis on normal birth. In line with these developments, women's stories and anecdotes of birth and midwives stories of experience increasingly form the basis of presentations at midwifery conferences and forums. Overall, this philosophical realignment, which commenced in Australia in the early 1990s, has been applauded by many midwives in terms of a greater valuing of the wishes and experiences of childbearing women and as being consistent with a greater promotion of normal birth. Nonetheless, it also gives rise to several questions, regarding the suitability of this form of research evidence. In a bid to answer some of those questions, this paper aims to evaluate the use of stories and anecdotal evidence within midwifery. First, an overview is presented of the way in which stories of pregnancy and birth appear in the literature. Secondly, the value of stories as evidence is critiqued and, finally, the ratio of story based publications, compared to traditional research methodologies, is reviewed. This review aims to address an area poorly attended in the literature and asks specifically: Are women's birth stories a suitable form of research evidence in midwifery?

Anecdotes as Topic↗

PubMed2006

Writing place: a comparison of nursing research and health geography.

The concept of 'place', and general references to 'geographies of ...' are making gradual incursions into nursing literature. Although the idea of place in nursing is not new, this recent spatial turn seems to be influenced by the increasing profile of the discipline of health geography, and the broadening of its scope to incorporate smaller and more intimate spatial scales. A wider emphasis within the social sciences on place from a social and cultural perspective, and a wider turn to 'place' across disciplines are probably equally important factors. This trend is raising some interesting questions for nurses, but at the same time contributes some confusion with regard to imputed meanings of 'place'. While it is clear that most nurse clinicians and researchers certainly understand that place of care matters to their practices and patients, many diverse uses of 'place' are found within nursing literature, and contemporary understandings of the term 'place' within nursing are not immediately clear. It is in this context that this article plans to advance the discussion of place. More specifically, the aims of this paper are threefold: to critique 'place' as it appears in nursing literature, to explore the use of 'place' within health geography, whence notions of place and 'geographies of' have originated and, finally, to compare and contrast the use of 'place' in both disciplines. This critique intends to address a deficit in the literature, in this era of growing spatialization in nursing research. The specific questions of interest here are: 'what is "place" in nursing?' and 'how do concepts of place in nursing compare to concepts of place in health geography?'

Body Image↗

PubMed2005

The role of stories in understanding life events: poststructural construction of the 'self'.

An appreciation of the construction of the 'self' has the potential to enhance nursing practice. The 'self' within post-structuralism is fashioned through the social discourses and beliefs of the day. These socio-cultural determinants shape the individual and provide meaning for life events. Storytelling and the sharing of stories about these events play a key role in this process. In integrating narrative stories about 'self', individuals are provided with a link to their culture and cultural practices. Events, such as accommodating change or coming to terms with an illness diagnosis, require complex adjustments to the individual's already held identity of 'self'. Sharing stories plays a part in this adjustment and is the principal means by which individuals make sense of their experiences. This understanding of storytelling when caring for patients can encourage the nurse to exchange stories in order to provide opportunities for patients to tell their own stories.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2005

"Doing it properly": the experience of first mothering over 35 years.

First mothering over 35 years is an increasing phenomenon in developed countries, and this "greying" of maternity raises some interesting questions and dilemmas for clinical care. In a qualitative study conducted in Melbourne, Australia, the motherhood experiences of 22 primiparous women were explored. Participant age ranged from 35 to 48 years. Women were interviewed over three junctures: at 35-38 weeks gestation, 10-14 days postpartum, and 8 months postpartum. Becoming a mother was found to occur in a temporally ordered sequence, with clear markers at 1-4 weeks, 1-4 months, 4-6 months, and 6-8 months. Themes that emerged from the analysis included the project "doing it properly," vulnerability, "finding my own way," and "being older." The continuing and increasing trend of primiparity older than 35 years makes this account of interest globally. Findings from this study offer an alternative explanation of early mothering over 35 years and offers direction to health professionals for easing early motherhood experiences for this growing group of childbearing women.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Late motherhood: the experience of parturition for first time mothers aged over 35 years.

Australia, like other developed nations, is exhibiting a trend towards later childbearing. At present, the birth rate of women aged 35 years and older is growing faster than for any other age group. Approximately 35% of mothers aged >35 years are first-time mothers, and it is commonly held that these women have particular issues of adjustment to motherhood. This longitudinal qualitative study entitled 'Transition to motherhood for first-time mothers aged 35 years and above' explores their experiences. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 primiparae aged >35, over three junctures: 35-38 weeks gestation; 7-10 days postpartum; and 6-8 months postpartum. Preliminary findings from interviews conducted immediately postpartum are presented in this paper. Participants identified adjustment to motherhood as a particularly challenging event.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2003

Reflexivity: a personal journey during data collection.

In this article Mary Carolan explores the notion of reflexivity as it applies to qualitative research. A study into the experiences of older first-time mothers enabled an exploration of personal views and philosophy in relation to the data collected.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The graying of the obstetric population: implications for the older mother.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on the relationship between advanced maternal age and pregnancy outcomes and to discuss social trends in childbearing. DATA SOURCES: Computerized searches on CINAHL, MEDLINE, National Institutes of Health, and published birth statistics. Keywords used in this search were the following: advanced maternal age, pregnancy outcomes for older primiparae and older mothers, and pregnancy risks. STUDY SELECTION: Relevant articles published between 1978 and 2001 were reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted and organized under the following headings: childbearing trends in developed countries, maternal morbidity for older mothers, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, operative and assisted delivery, and infant mortality and morbidity. DATA SYNTHESIS: The existing literature is concentrated on the medical aspects of the risks associated with childbearing at an advanced maternal age. Few systematic investigations have been undertaken of healthy older mothers, an increasingly common obstetric population. CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle influences, such as weight, general health, and smoking habits in older mothers, have not been addressed. Little is known about the actual risks of pregnancy complications for healthy older mothers. No clear guidelines exist to direct the obstetric and nursing care of the healthy older mother.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal and child health nurses: a vital link to the community for primiparae over the age of 35.

Australia, like other developed countries, is exhibiting a trend towards later childbearing and this trend has been particularly evident in the last three decades. Social trends of declining birth rates and small nuclear families mean that the contemporary adult has far less exposure to children than adults of former generations. Increasing female trends of employment and participation in higher education have also contributed to a postponement of childbearing, and more women than ever before are having a first baby over the age of 35 years. Mothering experiences for this group of women often occur in a situation of limited family or social support, geographical distancefrom family and with few links to the community. Together these factors make new mothering an isolating experience for some women. This paper reports on findings from a longitudinal qualitative study, outlining the importance of maternal & child health nurses in providing support and in facilitating links to the community for primiparae over the age of 35 years.

Adaptation, Psychological↗