Table 5 Overview of theme development

Code frequency (words)

Grateful women and nurturing midwives doing gender together

87

Very (42), Absolutely (25), Really (9), Extremely (6), Incredibly (5)

Adverb intensifiers emphasising the positive evaluations

301

Good (201), Great (33), Super (24), Fantastic (18), Awesome (15), Wonderful (7), Amazing (3)

An overall positive birth experience

189

Staff (106), midwife (69), physician (6), nurse (4), assistant nurse (4)

The midwife being central to the woman’s birth experience

99

Gratefulness (33), Positive feelings (25), Satisfaction (23)

Women being grateful and satisfied

229

Receiving/responsive (64), Safe (40), Perceptive (31), Sweet (20), Calm (19), Lovely (10), Caring (8), Compassionate (8), Accommodating (6), Personal (5), Respectful (5), Enthusiastic (4), Warm (4), Attentive (2), Kind (2), Happy (1), Honest (1)

The caring midwife

115

Supportive (46), Helpful (25), Encouraging (14), Tips (15), Guiding (11), Present (5)

The supportive midwife

65

Information (22), Pedagogical (19), Communication (16), Inclusive (8)

The informative midwife

65

Competent (38), Professional (27)

The competent midwife

Code frequency (expressions)

41

Difficult experience but good support (26), Excusing being neglected (11), Not as expected but ok (4)

Not quite satisfied but thankful and understanding

Managing ambiguous feelings by sympathising with the midwife

22

Absent midwife (9), Invalidated (7), Badly treated (6)

Invalidated and neglected

The midwifery model of relational care impeded by the labour care organisation

22

Too little information midwife to woman/partner (14), Lack of communication midwife-woman or midwife-other staff (4), Midwife didn’t read the birth plan (4)

Lack of information and dialogue

20

Critique of care and routines (10), Opinions on physical environment (10)

Critique of care, routines, and physical environment

10

Pain (4), Epidural too late (4), Negative emotions (2)

Pain and discomfort