Idun Røseth

• Solvi, Anette Stamland; Råbu, Marit & Røseth, Idun (2024). "You think lots of love will heal the child, but it requires a lifetime of patience". Foster parents´ intrapersonal and interpersonal struggles. International Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect. ISSN 0145-2134. doi: https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106947.
• Lindtveit, Tone; Skeie, Connie Malin; Oommen, Hanna; Ween-Velken, Marte Eline; Nygaard, Benedicte Sandhaug & Røseth, Idun (2024). Women’s experiences with planned singleton upright breech birth – A phenomenological study. Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare. ISSN 1877-5756. doi: 10.1016/j.srhc.2024.100952.
• Uldal, Tiril; Østmoen, Marita Strand; Dahl, Bente & Røseth, Idun (2023). Women’s experiences with hypnobirth – A qualitative study. Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare. ISSN 1877-5756. 37, p. 1–7. doi: 10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100890. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective: Hypnobirth is a technique that incorporates elements from hypnosis and is used to prepare women for birth. It aims to promote a normal birth and create a positive birth experience by equipping women with knowledge and tools to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain during labor. The objective of this study was to investigate women’s experiences in using this technique during childbirth. Methods: Qualitative study with nine in-depth interviews, analysed using a descriptive phenomenological method. Results: The women changed their perspective on birth and got to know their inherent resources. They acquired various coping strategies and techniques that enhanced their sense of control. The women gained ownership of their birth and found their active participation to be meaningful. They were informed of different options concerning their birth which made it possible to make informed decisions. The participation in hypnobirth classes, and personal experience from giving birth, made women wish for integration of mental birth preparation in the public health service, thus strengthening women’s trust in ther ability to give birth, which was pivotal to the participants’ birth satisfaction. Conclusion: The participants experienced an empowered birth because of the knowledge, coping strategies and mental training they gained from hypnobirth classes.

• Røseth, Idun; Hvidtjørn, Dorte & Dahl, Bente (2023). Developing parenthood through giving birth to a dead child – bereaved lesbian mothers’ maternity care experiences in Scandinavia. Sexualities. ISSN 1363-4607. p. 1–17. doi: 10.1177/13634607231168962. Show summary

  This phenomenological study uses in-depth interviews to explore how six lesbian couples experience the loss of a child in the perinatal period. Our findings revealed the importance of developing queer parenthood through a meaningful birthing space facilitated by a midwife and enabling time and space to recognize love and beauty in the couple’s grief. Suboptimal maternity care or insensitive comments related to their lesbian status complicated the loss, while care providers’ acknowledgement and sensitivity to the specific needs of queer couples enabled them to be present in the moment and recognize and process their loss.

• Røseth, Idun; Lyberg, Anne Marit; Sommerseth, Eva; Sandvik, Berit Margrethe & Dahl, Bente (2023). “Out of This World”: Norwegian Women’s Experiences of Medical Abortion Pain. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare. ISSN 1178-2390. 16, p. 889–898. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S399209. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction: Medical abortion has rapidly become the dominant abortion method in western countries. Pain is a known adverse effect; however, few studies have explored women’s subjective experience of medical abortion pain. Purpose: To explore Norwegian women’s experiences of pain when performing a medical abortion at home. Material and Methods: We recruited 24 women through an advertisement on Facebook and conducted semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data were analyzed using a phenomenological hermeneutical method. Results: Our findings consisted of two main themes: 1) Being in pain or becoming pain, and 2) Being caught off guard and struggling to cope. Participants described undergoing severe pain, comparable to giving birth, during the medical abortion. Unprepared for the type and intensity of the pain, they felt anxious and insecure. Pain is physical, but it also has important psychological, social, and existential dimensions. Our culture (in)forms our thoughts and feelings about our pain, affecting our ability to endure suffering. The participants’ experiences of abortion pain prompt timely questions concerning gendered socio-cultural and existential meanings connected to pain, specifically in relation to female reproductive functions. Conclusion: Women need realistic information about the type and intensity of abortion pain, as well as evidence-based pain medication. Psychological factors may affect the experience of abortion pain and should therefore be taken into account in abortion care

• Jakobsen, Marita Henningsdatter; Udjus, Elise; Røseth, Idun & Dahl, Bente (2023). Midwives’ experiences with accompaniment service work in Norway: A qualitative study. European Journal of Midwifery. ISSN 2585-2906. 7(February). doi: 10.18332/ejm/160074. Show summary

  Introduction: The centralization of health services appears to be prevalent both in and outside Europe. As the distance to the nearest birth institution increases, so does the risk of unplanned births outside of an institution. A primary factor to prevent this is having a skilled birth attendant present. This study examines midwives’ experiences of working in the accompaniment services in Norway. Methods: This was a qualitative interview study of 12 midwives working in the accompaniment services in Norway. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in January 2020. Systematic text condensation was used to analyze the data. Results: The analysis identified four main themes. The midwives felt that accompaniment service work was a heavy responsibility, but it was professionally fulfilling. They felt that being on call was a lifestyle, and they were motivated by their relationships with the pregnant women. Presenting themselves as confident midwives helped the women to feel reassured. The midwives considered the cooperation within the health service to be key to good transport midwifery. Conclusions: The midwives who worked in the accompaniment services felt that their responsibility for caring for women in labor was challenging, but meaningful. Their professional knowledge was important for identifying the risk of complications and handling difficult situations. Despite carrying a heavy workload, they continued to work in the accompaniment services to ensure that women who had to travel long distances to birth institutions received appropriate help.

• Sommerseth, Eva; Sandvik, Berit Margrethe; Dahl, Bente; Røseth, Idun & Lyberg, Anne Marit (2022). Kvinners erfaringer med helsetjenestetilbudet ved medikamentell abort. Sykepleien Forskning. ISSN 1890-2936. p. 1–19. doi: 10.4220/Sykepleienf.2022.89883. Show summary

  Bakgrunn: De fleste svangerskapsavbrudd i Norge gjennomføres som medikamentell abort, enten på sykehus eller i eget hjem. Abort skal gjennomføres med de samme standardene som ved andre helsetjenester, men på bakgrunn av eksisterende kunnskap kan man stille spørsmål ved om dette er tilfelle. Hensikt: Hensikten med denne studien var å belyse norske kvinners erfaringer med helsetjenestetilbudet ved gjennomføring av medikamentell abort. Metode: Studien hadde et utforskende og beskrivende design med individuelle intervjuer med 24 kvinner som hadde gjennomført en medikamentell abort hjemme før slutten av tolvte svangerskapsuke. Dataene ble analysert med systematisk tekstkondensering. Resultat: I hovedsak trakk kvinnene frem negative erfaringer i møte med både helsepersonell og helsetjenestene. Hovedfunnene er knyttet til kvinnenes opplevelse av å være en ressursbelastning som ikke fortjener omsorg, møter med en rutinepreget tjeneste som ensidig fokuserer på fysiske aspekter fremfor en personsentrert tilnærming, samt opplevelsen av mangel på valgfrihet, medbestemmelse og forberedthet. Konklusjon: Kvinnene erfarte at tilbudet om å snakke om abortvalg var begrenset. Videre opplevde de mangel på informasjon og tilgjengelighet samt individuell tilnærming ved uro eller uventet forløp. Andre erfaringer var at de ble møtt med distansering og mangel på respekt samt en følelse av ensomhet. Tilgang til personell med fordypet kunnskap om abortforløp, for eksempel jordmortjeneste, kan styrke tjenestetilbudet og sikre faglig forsvarlighet.

• Olsen, Barbo; Forgaard, Anne Cathrine; Nordsletta, Anne-Hedvig Salmi; Sommerseth, Eva & Røseth, Idun (2022). “I shut it out”: expectant mothers’ fear of childbirth after a traumatic birth—a phenomenological study. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. ISSN 1748-2623. 17(1). doi: 10.1080/17482631.2022.2101209. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose: To describe expectant mothers' experiences of fear of childbirth after a previous traumatic birth. Method: Qualitative, individual, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight expectant mothers between September and November 2020. Data were analysed using a descriptive phenomenological approach. Results: We identified four interconnected constituents: Suboptimal midwifery care, loss of control and agency; insufficient time and capacity to process a traumatic birth experience; "The baby has to be delivered!", and finally, the path to a new childbirth with the hope of mastering fears. Conclusion: Findings reveal an association between a previous history of traumatic birth and a fear of childbirth in expectant mothers. The trauma they experienced whilst giving birth strongly impacted their subsequent pregnancy, making it difficult for them to deal with the new pregnancy and impending birth. Women who have experienced a traumatic birth need to have the opportunity to process the trauma. Routines must therefore be developed that identify, support and follow up with the women. If these women are identified and given the help they need, this may help prevent and/or alleviate fear of childbirth in their subsequent pregnancy.

• Røseth, Idun; Sommerseth, Eva; Lyberg, Anne Marit; Sandvik, Berit Margrethe & Dahl, Bente (2022). No one needs to know! Medical abortion: Secrecy, shame, and emotional distancing. Health Care for Women International. ISSN 0739-9332. p. 1–19. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2022.2090565. Show summary

  In 2021, 10,841 abortions were carried out in Norway, of which 95.3% were medical abortions. In this phenomenological study, we explore women’s experiences connected to performing a medical abortion at home. We conducted 22 interviews and analyzed the data using Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method. Our analysis revealed four crucial constituents: The logical and sensible choice—doubt beneath the surface; Secrecy and the dubious comfort of hidden shame; Emotional distancing as a coping strategy; and Moving on—and revisiting the meaning of the abortion. We discuss and reflect on these findings drawing on insights from existential phenomenology and contemporary research.

• Røseth, Idun; Bongaardt, Robert (Rob) & Baklien, Børge (2021). A Phenomenological Heuristic for Ecopsychology Research. Ecopsychology. ISSN 1942-9347. 13(2), p. 96–102. doi: 10.1089/eco.2020.0037. Show summary

  The question of humans’ lost connection with the natural environment appears more intimidating, relevant, and urgent than ever. How can the link between humans and the natural environment be re-established? In this article we underscore that phenomenology can offer a suitable and helpful perspective to answer this question. Ecophenomenological approaches have appropriated phenomenological philosophy to stress the importance of connecting with nature and some have contributed with empirically based phenomenological studies. Our purpose is to provide a heuristic that can help structure further phenomenological exploration of how humans connect to nature. The Umwelt, Mitwelt, and Eigenwelt heuristic, based on phenomenology, functions to distinguish between nature as meaningfully structured by human experiences, human intersubjectivity that undergirds this, and the individual act of constituting meaning. We describe and discuss Husserlian descriptive phenomenological perspectives on connectivity, intersubjectivity, and empathy, and how these may inform research in the field.

• Thorbjörnsdottir, Katrin Erna; Karlsen, Ida Emilie; Dahl, Bente & Røseth, Idun (2020). “Talk to me, not at me”: obese women’s experiences of birth and their encounter with birth attendants—a qualitative study. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. ISSN 1748-2623. 15(1), p. 1–10. doi: 10.1080/17482631.2020.1845286. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose: To explore the birth experiences of obese women in regard to their encounter with birth attendants. Methods: Qualitative, in-depth interviews with 10 women were conducted in February 2020. Data were analysed using a descriptive phenomenological method. Results: Four interrelated constituents were identified: The preconception and prejudice of being unhealthy and less able; Being unique among all the other unique women; “Talk to me, not at me”—the importance of information and communication, and; Feeling secure enough to be in the 'birthing bubble'. Conclusion: For the women in our study, being obese meant experiencing challenges as well as opportunities during childbirth and in their encounter with birth attendants. Experiences of preconceptions, alienation, a focus on risk, and a loss of autonomy in encounters with birth attendants were found to negatively impact the birthing process. The women desired affirmative and inclusive encounters; these kinds of encounters may improve the birth experiences of obese women

• Jarneid, Henriette; Gjestad, Kristin; Røseth, Idun & Dahl, Bente (2020). Fathers’ experiences of being present at unplanned out-of-hospital birth: A qualitative study. . Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare. ISSN 1178-2390. 13, p. 1235–1244. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S272021. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate fathers' experiences of being present at an unplanned birth outside a maternity facility. Materials and methods: This was a qualitative interview study with 12 fathers from six of Norway's eleven counties. All had been present at an unplanned out-of-hospital birth in 2015-2020. Data were analyzed using systematic text condensation. Results: The data analysis resulted in four themes. The first theme described the fathers' stress and worry and how they managed to keep a cool head and think rationally in a totally unprepared situation. The second theme described the fathers' need for help and the reassuring feeling provided by contact with health professionals. The third theme described how the birth increased the father's attachment to his partner and baby, while the fourth theme described fathers' feelings of exclusion and their reactions following the birth. Conclusion: Fathers' perceived lack of expertise and their fear of complications led to stress, worry and anxiety, but support from health personnel provided reassurance and control. Many fathers experienced mastery, pride and joy after the birth, but when arriving at hospital, they felt rejected and wished that maternity care staff had approached them to talk about the experience.

• Røseth, Idun; Austenå, Halvor; Sommerseth, Eva; Dahl, Bente; Lyberg, Anne Marit & Bongaardt, Robert (Rob) (2020). Fluid Boundaries and Moving Targets: Midwife Leaders’ Perspectives on Continuing Professional Education. Sage Open. ISSN 2158-2440. 10 (1), p. 1–9. doi: 10.1177/2158244020933610. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In this study, we aim to understand midwife leaders’ perspectives on continuing professional education among midwives in their work unit. We used a phenomenological perspective and method in the process of interviewing the participants and analyzing the data. Five midwife leaders who worked in large maternity wards and had considerable experience as managers were recruited. Results revealed three essential constituents: (a) constraints and the individualization of continuing professional education, (b) normal and at-risk births: fluid boundaries and moving targets, and (c) a personal approach: dimensions of control and trust-driven leadership. We discuss these findings in relation to current research and perspectives on how professional cultures and leadership impact continuing professional education and knowledge management, revealing possible implications to further promote professional development in public health organizations. We conclude that midwife leaders’ views on continuing professional education as practical skills training may hinder professional communication and knowledge development in maternity care.

• Dahl, Bente; Røseth, Idun; Lyberg, Anne Marit; Bongaardt, Rob & Sommerseth, Eva (2019). Education is a private matter – Clinical midwives’ experiences of being part-time master students in midwifery. Nurse Education in Practice. ISSN 1471-5953. 39, p. 32–36. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2019.07.002. Show summary

  When the master's degree in midwifery was introduced in Norway, clinical midwives with a professional diploma soon requested the possibility to upgrade their education to a master's degree. In 2014, a part-time master's program worth 40 ECTS credits was introduced at a Norwegian university. In this study, we aimed to explore clinical midwives' experiences of how taking a part-time master's program in midwifery was received at their workplace. We employed a qualitative research design and an explorative descriptive approach. A convenience sample consisting of 47 clinical midwifes with varying seniority was recruited in 2016 and 2017, and five focusgroup interviews were conducted at the end of the study programs. Systematic text condensation was used to analyze the data, generating three themes. The first concerns the midwives' experiences of learning new tools to advance their profession. Secondly, they expressed hope for support, but found that education was a private matter. Finally, they experienced that financial support depended on goodwill from their employers. The study demonstrates that a master's degree in midwifery can be instrumental to strengthen clinical practice, but also points towards the need to update and strengthen management and leadership to facilitate and implement new knowledge.

• Røseth, Idun & Bongaardt, Rob (2019). I don't love my baby?! A descriptive phenomenological analysis of disturbances in maternal affection. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology. ISSN 0047-2662. 50(1), p. 90–111. doi: 10.1163/15691624-12341355. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Many new mothers question the nature of their motherly love after birth. This affectionate relationship towards the infant is commonly called bonding in everyday speech, clinical practice and research. Bonding may not sufficiently describe the mother’s emotional response to the infant and does not capture the ambivalence and struggle to develop maternal affection of many women. This study aims to explore the phenomenon of disturbed maternal affection through the clinical case of one mother who experienced severe and prolonged disturbances. Two in-depth interviews led to a descriptive phenomenological analysis. The mother developed depressive symptoms from not feeling enough for her child, not the opposite, as is often hypothesized. We describe and discuss crucial constituents of her experience, such as ambivalence, remoteness, boredom, guilt, and the looming repetition of parenting patterns, and a solution resulting from therapy-enhanced reflection on motherhood vis-à-vis early life patterns, sociocultural expectations and existential predicaments.

• Bongaardt, Rob; Baklien, Børge & Røseth, Idun (2019). Hiking the Phenomenological Psychological Method. In Grenier, Robin S. & Merriam, Sharan B. (Ed.), Qualitative Research in Practice. John Wiley & Sons. ISSN 978-11-19-45202-7. p. 109–112.
• Røseth, Idun; Bongaardt, Robert (Rob); Lyberg, Anne Marit; Sommerseth, Eva & Dahl, Bente (2018). New mothers' struggles to love their child. An interpretative synthesis of qualitative studies. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. ISSN 1748-2623. 13(1), p. 1–11. doi: 10.1080/17482631.2018.1490621. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose: New mothers may question the nature of their motherly love after the birth. Most mothers find that feelings of affection come within a week from birth. However, some mothers are still struggling with this after many months. Many studies place strong emphasis on the importance of maternal affection for the development of the child. Few studies look into mothers’ experiences when maternal affection or love remains a struggle. Method:We present an interpretative synthesis based on a systematic analysis of five qualitative studies that report findings related to mothers’ stated inability to exhibit maternal affection. Result:In answer to our question “what characterizes the experiences of women who struggle with, or are unable to exhibit, maternal affection after birth”, we identified the uncertainty involved in imagining the unborn child, birth and maternal future, birth as a disillusionment, and the ensuing process of decreasing agency and increasing alienation. Especially a traumatic birth may lead to disillusionment. Conclusion: Health care workers and research can support a mother’s positive resolution of her struggle by promoting realistic and more open expectations for maternal affection as well as her sense of agency and ownership during birth and the early mother–child relationship

• Røseth, Idun & Bongaardt, Robert (Rob) (2018). A Phenomenological Understanding of Postpartum Depression and Its Treatment. In Englander, Magnus (Eds.), Phenomenology and the Social Context of Psychiatry. Social Relations, Psychopathology, and Husserl's Philosophy. Bloomsbury Academic. ISSN 9781350044302. p. 121–135.
• Bongaardt, Rob; Røseth, Idun & Baklien, Børge (2016). Hiking Leisure: Generating a Different Existence Within Everyday Life. Sage Open. ISSN 2158-2440. p. 1–10. doi: 10.1177/2158244016681395. Show summary

  This study explores how hiking trips in the forest afford two Norwegian families experiences of leisure during the trips. In situ interviews were analyzed using a descriptive phenomenological research method, which brackets theoretical or ideological assumptions during data collection and analysis. The results show that three levels of experience are interwoven. First, individual family members, parents as well as children, are immersed in the activities in their physical environment, which evokes positive bodily feelings. Second, interactions and dialogue between family members concerning actual events during the trip give rise to a sense of belonging and togetherness. Finally, the family creates a narrative about itself in the light of its own future as well as sociocultural expectations. We characterize this tapestry of experiences as an act of hiking leisure. We conclude that the experience of the hiking trip goes beyond a simple duality of a core versus balance activity theory and answers the call for research that incorporates the natural contexts in which leisure activities take place.

• Røseth, Idun; Binder, Per-Einar & Malt, Ulrik Fredrik (2013). Engulfed by an Alienated and Threatening Emotional Body: The Essential Meaning Structure of Depression in Women. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology. ISSN 0047-2662. 44(2), p. 153–178. doi: 10.1163/15691624-12341254.
• Røseth, Idun; Binder, Per-Einar & Malt, Ulrik Fredrik (2011). Two Ways of Living through Postpartum Depression. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology. ISSN 0047-2662. 42, p. 174–194. doi: 10.1163/156916211X599753. Show summary

  Our aim with this descriptive phenomenological study was to identify and describe the essential meaning structure in the experience of postpartum depression (PPD). We interviewed four women diagnosed with major depression and analyzed the data with Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological method. Our analysis revealed two essential meaning structures of PPD. The first structure describes the mother as thrown into a looming, dangerous world, coupled with a restricted, heavy body that hindered her attunement to her baby. Tormented by anxiety, guilt and shame, she tried to deal with her pain by analytical reflection and social isolation. The second structure describes sudden lapses into intense feelings of alienation from the self, the baby, and from the social and material world. With a distorted primordial self-awareness, the mother no longer felt that she existed as herself in the world. We reflect on these findings using the insights of Fuchs, Van den Berg, Heidegger and Merleau-Ponty.

• Røseth, Idun; Bongaardt, Robert & Binder, Per-Einar (2011). A case study of a mother’s intertwining experiences with incest and postpartum depression. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. ISSN 1748-2623. 6(3). doi: 10.3402/qhw.v6i3.7244.

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• Sorsa, Minna Anneli; Dahl, Bente & Røseth, Idun (2023). Using phenomenological approaches in building relationships with vulnerable mothers and infants.
• Røseth, Idun (2019). Phenomenological observation of caregiver-child interaction.
• Røseth, Idun; Bongaardt, Rob; Lyberg, Anne Marit; Sommerseth, Eva & Dahl, Bente (2019). New mothers' struggles to love their child. An interpretative synthesis of qualitative studies. .
• Bongaardt, Rob; Baklien, Børge & Røseth, Idun (2019). Hiking Leisure: Generating a Different Existence Within Everyday Life. In Grenier, Robin S. & Merriam, Sharan B. (Ed.), Qualitative Research in Practice. John Wiley & Sons. ISSN 978-11-19-45202-7. p. 91–108.
• Baklien, Børge; Røseth, Idun & Bongaardt, Robert (Rob) (2018). Narratage in situ: Families in the making.
• Røseth, Idun (2017). Fenomenologisk metode anvendt på fødselsdepresjon.
• Røseth, Idun (2016). Depresjon etter svangerskap. En kvalitativ undersøkelse.
• Røseth, Idun (2015). Review: Experiences of depression: A study in phenomenology , written by Matthew Ratcliffe . Journal of Phenomenological Psychology. ISSN 0047-2662. 46(2), p. 236–242. doi: 10.1163/15691624-12341297.
• Baklien, Børge; Bongaardt, Rob & Røseth, Idun (2013). Phenomenology in situ: methodological challenges of life world research while hiking in nature.
• Røseth, Idun & Malt, Ulrik Fredrik (2011). Can postpartum depression be differentiated from non-postpartum depression? A systematic review. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. ISSN 0022-3999. 70(6), p. 610–610.
• Bongaardt, Robert; Røseth, Idun & Binder, Per-Einar (2011). The interwined experience of incest and postpartum depression.
• Røseth, Idun & Malt, Ulrik Fredrik (2013). The Essential Meaning Structure of Postpartum Depression. A Qualitative Study. Faculty of medicine, University of Oslo, Norway. ISSN 978-82-8264-516-4.

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