Professional learning using storytelling videos of childbirth experiences: A qualitative pilot study of student midwives' perceptions in Myanmar

AIMS: To explore and describe Myanmar student midwives' perceptions of professional learning using storytelling videos of women's childbirth experiences by conducting a qualitative study and to assess potential pedagogical uses of storytelling videos in midwifery education. METHODS: This pilot study used a qualitative content analysis study design implemented as part of the Diversity and commonalities of birth from women's voice sharing project of the Toyota Foundation. Storytelling videos of the childbirth experiences of seven Asian women (three Myanmar, three Lao, and one Japanese women) were viewed by the students. Thereafter, a semistructured interview with focus group discussion was conducted to explore and assess the students' perceptions. Setting: Kyaing Tong township, Shan State, Myanmar. Participants: Five second‐year midwifery students from a single midwifery training school in Myanmar. RESULTS: Data analysis of their perceptions yielded four major categories: (1) deep reverence for women/mothers;; (2) respectful attitude as a midwife to support mothers; (3) wish for a safe and secure birth environment; and (4) importance of learning from the mother's voice. CONCLUSIONS: The student midwives realized the importance of listening to the mothers' voices regardless of the nationalities or cultural background. The findings indicated that the storytelling videos broadened the students' perspectives of pregnancy and childbirth, and motivated them to provide better maternity care. Storytelling videos of childbirth experiences can be powerful educational materials for enhancing professional learning of student midwives.