Perceptions and experiences of midwives' regarding the use of the labor care guide at two state hospitals in Khomas region, Namibia

The labor care guide (LCG) is a new tool for monitoring labor, introduced to replace the partograph, which had been used improperly and inconsistently across various contexts. Early research suggests that healthcare practitioners view the LCG as a tool that enhances the quality of care during labor and delivery. The aim of this study was to explore midwives' perceptions and experiences of using the LCG at two state hospitals in the Khomas region, Namibia. This study employed a qualitative transcendental (descriptive) phenomenology design. Purposive sampling and maximum variation sampling were applied. A total of 10 midwives' participated in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis grounded in descriptive phenomenology. The study revealed the following four themes; midwives' experiences in transitioning from partographs to LCG in practice, midwives' perceptions of the LCG and adaptation into practice, challenges related to the implementation and use of LCG by midwives' and navigating from incompetence to an expert in using the LCG implication to practice. Despite some negative perceptions, midwives' found the LCG to be a valuable tool in managing labor. However, they recommended appropriate training and some context-based adjustments to enhance effective utilization.