Experiences of Maternal Critical Illness

This is a qualitative study using semi structured interviews to explore the experiences of women who lived through critical illness from 1st January 2020 up to presently to coincide with the implementation of the new NMC standards. Women will be invited to include their birth partners either through a joint or separate interview. These interviews are particularly worthwhile in this study because birth partners are likely to provide gaps or missing pieces to the puzzle thus offering more complete recollections of the events.

The aims of the study are to :
1.Explore women and birth partners’ experiences of critical illness in childbirth.

2.Understand to what extent maternity services meet the needs of women and their families during and following critical illness.

3.Identify any challenges to care provision for women who experience maternal critical illness and their families.