METHODS: A qualitative, phenomenological design was employed to explore the experiences of 12 gynecological nurses working in early pregnancy units. Semi-structured interviews investigated nurses' perceptions of emotional labor, the coping strategies they utilized, and the influence of organizational factors on their well-being. Thematic analysis guided by Braun and Clarke's framework illuminated emerging patterns, with member checking and peer debriefing ensuring analytical rigor.
RESULTS: Four key themes emerged. First, The Emotional Burden of Recurrent Loss highlighted nurses' cumulative grief and sense of "compounding sorrow" as they supported patients through multiple losses. Second, Balancing Empathy and Professional Boundaries underscored the tension between offering genuine compassion and guarding personal emotional reserves. Third, Coping Strategies and Resilience-Building revealed a multilayered approach comprising reflective practices, peer debriefing, and self-care. Finally, Organizational Support and Gaps emphasized how institutional resources, staffing levels, and specialized training significantly shaped nurses' capacity to sustain empathetic care.
CONCLUSION: Nurses caring for RPL patients experience heightened emotional labor due to repetitive, distressing encounters with loss. While individual and peer-based coping mechanisms foster resilience, organizational support-such as formal debriefing sessions and RPL-focused training-amplifies nurses' well-being and ensures sustainable, high-quality care. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions that address both the individual and systemic dimensions of emotional labor in RPL settings.
METHODS: A qualitative exploratory design was employed in four public hospitals in Shanxi Province, China. Seventeen obstetric nurses and eight pregnant women participated in semi-structured interviews between March and August 2024. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify commonalities and divergences between nurse-driven and patient-driven experiences.
RESULTS: Nurses perceived WeChat as extending their professional reach beyond physical clinic hours and enhancing patient education, aligning with the Technology Acceptance Model constructs of perceived usefulness and ease of use. However, organizational constraints, digital training gaps, and blurred work-life boundaries posed challenges. Pregnant women similarly recognized WeChat's convenience for quick clarifications and access to nurse-vetted information, yet wide variations in digital health literacy led to uneven engagement. Cultural factors, such as extended family involvement and preferences for in-person consultations, further influenced both nurse and patient usage patterns. Despite these challenges, participants converged on WeChat's value as a complementary platform that could reduce clinic visits, offer immediate reassurance, and bolster continuity of care.
CONCLUSION: WeChat-based prenatal education holds significant promise for improving maternal health outcomes by facilitating frequent, real-time communication between nurses and expectant mothers. Nonetheless, the findings underscore the need for hospital-level policies, structured training programs, and culturally sensitive strategies to address privacy concerns, manage workloads, and reduce digital disparities. An integrated approach that combines nurse acceptance and patient digital literacy is essential to fully harness WeChat's potential in public hospital contexts.
IMPLICATIONS: The study highlights practical steps for enhancing digital prenatal interventions, including standardized protocols for WeChat-based interactions, comprehensive nurse training in eHealth communication, and tailored support for pregnant women with limited digital skills. Such interventions can inform wider policymaking on telehealth and guide technology developers in creating user-friendly, secure digital platforms that optimize maternal care and reduce health inequities.
CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.