PURPOSE:
To explore the childbirth experiences of women who gave birth at Kiboga District Hospital in Uganda by analyzing their birth stories, including their perceptions and personal feelings.

DISCUSSION:
Childbirth experience is part of the social cultural roles of women in Kiboga and can have long-term implications for a woman’s health and wellbeing. Skilled birth attendance and healthcare facility delivery are effective means of reducing maternal mortality. Many women in Uganda (~35%), still give birth at home without a skilled birth attendant or are delayed in coming to the health facility for care. Up to 70,000 lives (women and babies), are lost every year in Uganda due to complications during pregnancy, childbirth and in the first few months afterwards. Twenty women, ages 19 to 43 years, were interviewed in a semi-structured in-depth interview within 24 hours of childbirth with the help of a local professional translator.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Qualitative interpretive and descriptive analysis revealed two main themes that each consisted of several subthemes: Cultural Norms of Childbirth (Women's Status, Submissiveness, and Silence/Acceptance) and the Childbirth Process and Its Impact (Loss, Coping and Overcoming Difficulties, and Physical Well-Being).

KEY MESSAGE:
Women need to feel supported and valued to deal with their childbirth experiences. Incorporating the professional support of experienced midwives in an enabling environment and providing access to a sufficiently equipped health care facility may improve the mental and physical state of women who give birth in Uganda and help them return to optimal functioning. Poster session 1 (Group A)