Table 5.

Sub-themes of the Theme 3 ‘Impact of trauma on professional values’

Sub-themes	Expression of midwives
Losing confidence in professional practice	‘Emotionally, this affected me, I lost my confidence, and I suddenly did not want to give my opinion on things. It made me doubt myself.’ 3 ‘… I lost my confidence in myself for a while and carried my nervousness about safety to the next birth.’ 24
Desire to quit the profession	‘I thought my standards and the woman's care had been compromised. I just felt I couldn't do that anymore and that is the reason I gave up midwifery.’ 3
Maintenance of professional values	‘I really dreaded going to work after the incident. I wondered how I would react. And of course, the tears came when I talked to those who had the evening shift and those who came on the night shift that night.’ 19 ‘When I have them, it feels just like you, I have a crystal ball in my hand, and if I pinch too hard, I can break it, we must be careful I think, not being forceful.’ 25