Freebirthing: a case for using interpretative hermeneutic phenomenology in midwifery research for knowledge generation, dissemination and impact.

The findings revealed direct implications for midwifery practice, namely that the complex and nuanced reasons to freebirth were often related to a previous birth trauma or negative interactions with maternity professionals. Additional findings revealed that women faced distressing opposition and conflict from midwives in relation to their decision to freebirth, despite its current legality in the United Kingdom. These findings have been published elsewhere. However, the purpose of this paper is twofold: first, using my research into freebirthing as a case study, I will demonstrate the use and benefits of interpretative hermeneutic phenomenology to midwifery and nursing research in order to generate knowledge for the benefit of service users, healthcare professionals, researchers and policy makers; second, I will discuss the activities I carried out to enhance dissemination and impact for the benefit of service users and clinicians.