A qualitative study of experiences of midwifery students regarding midwifery as existential profession in Turkey

Existential issues have always been present in human life. The pregnancy and childbirth process could trigger existential self-awareness and create a profound spiritual experience. The importance of midwives at the beginning of life raises the question of “Is midwifery a profession of existence?”. This study aimed to explore midwifery students’ experiences of the educational process and how they perceived these experiences as influencing their meaning-making, existential questioning, and spirituality. This study utilised a phenomenological qualitative research design. It was conducted with 23 midwifery students who were enrolled in the fourth year at the Midwifery Department of a Public University, participated in childbirth during their education, and agreed to participate in the study in the 2021–2022 academic year. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analysed using the thematic analysis method. NVivo Software 14 was used to manage the data analysis process. The study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies guidelines. Four main themes emerged from the analysis of the data, which included “perspectives on the midwifery profession”, “perceived influence of the educational process”, “witnessing the moment of birth” and “midwifery is an existential profession”. Midwifery students are aware of the process of understanding and experiencing the meaning of human existence and the sanctity of human life. Participants described their midwifery education and experiences of childbirth as meaningful and associated them with existential reflection, professional development, and, for some, spiritual or religious meaning-making.