Unveiling the lived experience meaning of being a woman breastfeeding with puerperal complications

Abstract

Objective: understanding the lived experience meaning of being a woman breastfeeding with puerperal complications. Method: a qualitative study of phenomenological nature based on the phenomenology of perception and on hermeneutics. Data collection took place in two maternity hospitals in the Northeast Region of Brazil from February to October 2014, through in-depth interviews with 28 women who had recently given birth. Data analysis included: reading descriptions, identifying thematic units and essential themes. Results: a central meaning emerged from the description analysis of breastfeeding being more important than the situation experienced in puerperal complications; and essential themes of perceiving family support and perceived feelings when experiencing breastfeeding with complications. Conclusion: the study created the opportunity to understand that breastfeeding experienced being a woman with puerperal complications is composed by a series of meanings, and knowledge of these meanings by health professionals can contribute to more comprehensive care.