Perceptions and expectations of pregnant women about the type of birth.

Roberta Marielle Arik,Cristina Maria Garcia de Lima Parada,Vera Lúcia Pamplona Tonete,Fernanda Cristina Manzini Sleutjes

doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0731

Roberta Marielle Arik, Cristina Maria Garcia de Lima Parada + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0731

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Abstract

to understand the perceptions and expectations of pregnant women about the type of birth. this is a qualitative research, based on the assumptions of the Humanization of Obstetric Care. 15 pregnant women were interviewed twice at the beginning and the end of gestation between October 2015 and May 2016. Data were analyzed according to the method of the Discourse of the Collective Subject. the discourses were associated with four themes: Advantages of vaginal birth over cesarean section; Fear and unpredictability of vaginal birth; Importance of the doctor in the definition of the type of birth; and Influence of family and friends in choosing the type of birth. according to pregnant women, vaginal birth has more benefit compared to cesarean section. However, during gestation and birth, fear of pain and the unexpected, and medical opinions of friends and family against vaginal birth strongly influence the choice of cesarean section.

Highlights

Birth is a phenomenon intrinsically related to women and their families, becoming a social practice and, as such, its meaning goes through historically determined changes
Among the participants interviewed in M1, eight (P1-P3, P10P13 and P15) reported the desire to perform vaginal birth, five (P4-P5, P7-P9) expressed preference for cesarean section and two (P6, P14) had doubt about the type of birth
It was possible to understand, in this study, the pregnant women’s perceptions and expectations regarding the type of birth desired, revealing the aspects that were considered and the ones that defined the birth performed, being often pointed out the advantages of vaginal birth, especially for the baby; the fear of pain related to labor and the unpredictability of vaginal labor; and the valorization of the doctor’s and family’s indication as to the type of birth

Summary

Introduction

Birth is a phenomenon intrinsically related to women and their families, becoming a social practice and, as such, its meaning goes through historically determined changes. With the creation of hospitals, at the end of this century, this event was gradually institutionalized; a change that has given it new meanings, transcending from the physiological, family and female events to the medical act[1,2,3]. The role of the parturient was replaced by that of the medical professional for whom the driving was granted and all the decisions regarding parturition. There is favor to the interventionist action of this professional, besides the overvaluation of techniques and technologies in a process of alienation of the woman, family and society[1]

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