Perception of be Cared in Childbirth at the Light of the WHO Model

Maria Marques

doi:10.11648/j.ajns.20170606.15

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization recommends preserving the physiology of childbirth. For a normal birth, the guidelines define obstetric practices in four categories, ranging from useful and to be encouraged to harmful and to be eliminated. Objective: to describe new mothers’ perception of care during childbirth in the light of the World Health Organization model. Methods: Cross-sectional study. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Convenience sample of 180 mothers. The average age was 30.8 years-old (SD=5.31). Results: On their own initiative, before leaving for the maternity, women carried out at home, some care not recommended by World Health Organization, like pubic shaving (83.7%). Category A represents above all the lack of a birth plan (80.6%), mobility (71.3%), massage /54.2%) and light feeding (72.6%). Positively represented are skin-to-skin contact (77%) and breast-feeding (75.6%). Category B highlights intravenous fluids access (81.6%), lithotomy position for delivery (82.9%) and directed pushing (86.9%). Pubic shaving is recognized by about 22% of participants. The Kristeller maneuver or fundal pressure, is widely applied in Category D (59.9%), highlighting continuous cardiotocography (89.2%), repeated vaginal examination carried out by various professionals (78.5%) and episiotomy (69.2%). Conclusion: The World Health Organization model is weakly implemented. The medicalized culture of childbirth seems to predominate in phenomena of human nature.

Highlights

For reasons connected with the species’ bio-psycho-sociocultural evolution, childbirth is not a solitary event for humans
Perhaps women should be informed that the physiology of labor is a unique, singular process to be respected in each case of labor
The study reveals poor implementation of health organization guidelines and limited pro-activity by mothers, as well as showing necessary potential modifications. It contributes to respect for woman and the quality of services. Bringing this topic into the open may contribute to greater efforts and dedication in care related to the physiology of childbirth, plus an orientation towards non-pharmacological means, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)

Summary

Introduction

For reasons connected with the species’ bio-psycho-sociocultural evolution, childbirth is not a solitary event for humans. In United Kingdom, the definition of normal birth or spontaneous delivery was the object of a clinical study in recognition of the need for its local and International clarification. In this concept, there is no place for aspects that go beyond the physiological understanding of the term normal. The World Health Organization recommends preserving the physiology of childbirth. Objective: to describe new mothers’ perception of care during childbirth in the light of the World Health Organization model. Results: On their own initiative, before leaving for the maternity, women carried out at home, some care not recommended by World Health Organization, like pubic shaving (83.7%). The medicalized culture of childbirth seems to predominate in phenomena of human nature

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Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion