Nurses practices to promote dignity, participation and empowerment of women in natural childbirth

Abstract

The aim of the study was to research care practices used by nurses in order to provide autonomy, dignity and participation by women during vaginal delivery. It was qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research which involved 30 women who had given birth. The study was performed at a Birth Center in Salvador, Bahia. To support the analysis the concept of autonomy was used. The practices enabling dignity were: warmth; the promotion of the presence of a companion and providing a proper environment for care. They also provided a sense of calm and confidence in women. To enable autonomy, the factors considered were: promotion of coercion-free personal relationships; facilitating access to information; and, fostering the active participation of women. Although the Center has advanced in its efforts to promote autonomy and the participation of the women it serves, more effort is required to fully achieve this goal.