Gettys, Jamie

Meaning of Childbirth for Hmong Women in Vietnam

Faculty Mentor: Cheryl Corbett, College of Nursing

Introduction

The basis of this research project comes from data collected on a BYU Anthropology
field school in Vietnam during the summer of 2015. The data consisted of eight in-depth
interviews with Hmong women who had given birth within the last eighteen months. The focus
of the interviews was on their experience giving birth and what that experience meant to them.
The purpose of this research is to educate healthcare providers on the perceptions of the Hmong
women interviewed so as to better accommodate to their preferences.

Methodology

All recorded interviews were roughly transcribed and then analyzed to find themes. Three
members of the research team were involved in this data analysis, reading the interviews
independently and marking themes in different colors. After individual analysis, mutual themes
were identified and five themes were chosen. During the writing process, it was agreed upon that
a sixth theme needed to be included to adequately report the findings. Quotes were identified that
were representative of each theme and these segments were translated and transcribed exactly.
Direct quotes were inserted into the manuscript. A fourth researcher added his knowledge of
Hmong culture and another enriched the impact of the data by expounding on individual context
for each quote used in the manuscript. After many revisions the manuscript was submitted to a
professional nursing journal. The research team is currently waiting to hear back from the journal
and receive feedback from peer revision.

Results

Perceptions of birth vary for each woman, but through data analysis six themes were
identified within the childbirth interviews conducted. The six themes are highly valuing
motherhood, laboring and giving birth silently, giving birth assisted by family, feeling capable to
birth well, feeling anxiety to provide for a new baby, and embracing cultural traditions. Each
theme is supported by direct quotes from the participants, with contextual support and
explanations. The results provide helpful information for healthcare providers seeking greater
understanding of how some Hmong women in Vietnam perceive childbirth.

Discussion

While these results cannot be generalized to a greater population, the results are
informative and accurate. Eight Hmong women were interviewed and their experiences can help
healthcare providers become more culturally competent in regards to care given surrounding
childbirth. Some clinical implications for nurses include offering hot drinks and food in the
postpartum period, accommodating any cultural preferences as much as possible in the
healthcare setting, and always maintaining respect for the client and refraining from judgment.

Conclusion

This project is in the final stages, awaiting reply from the peer review of a professional
journal. The data analyzed has led to a significant contribution to the discipline of nursing,
particularly in the field of maternal healthcare. Providing this rich qualitative data to healthcare
providers allows for increased knowledge of childbearing practices of Hmong women in
Vietnam and encourages nurses and others to offer culturally competent care.