Angelita J Henrique1, Patricia Rodney2, Soodabeh Joolaee3, Susan Cox4, Adam Shriver5, Camila B Moreira6, Julia Climaco7, Janine Schirmer8. 1. Paulista School of Nursing, Department of Women's Health, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; The W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: angelita.henrique@ubc.ca. 2. The W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; School of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 3. The W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Nursing Care Research Center, School of Nursing, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. The W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 5. The Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Oxford University, United Kingdom. 6. Paulista School of Nursing, Department of Women's Health, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; School of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 7. The W. Maurice Young Centre for Applied Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Institute of Psychology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil. 8. Paulista School of Nursing, Department of Women's Health, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The pain associated with childbirth is a cause of severe pain, and the literature suggests that it can be influenced by psychosocial influences, the environment, and cognitive processes, creating the overall experience of childbirth. Therefore, the investigation of women's childbirth pain experience is essential. AIM: The purpose of this study is to understand women's childbirth pain and determine which influences can contribute to building different experiences. METHOD: A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted to explore the women's childbirth pain experiences, by understanding the influences on their experiences. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 21 women in a hospital setting in São Paulo, Brazil, and analysed by thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) experiencing childbirth pain, (2) face-to-face with pain, and (3) empowerment needs. DISCUSSION: Many factors influence how Brazilian women manage pain and shape their experience during childbirth. The findings suggest that when women had a positive experience, they asked for minimal support, demonstrated balance, and expressed that the pain was manageable; when they had unfavourable experiences, they regarded pain as a threat and a punishment and associated it with unpleasant emotions. CONCLUSION: The results outlined concerns that should be addressed in the provision of specific, appropriate care for women, to support them in improving their experience during childbirth. Crown
BACKGROUND: The pain associated with childbirth is a cause of severe pain, and the literature suggests that it can be influenced by psychosocial influences, the environment, and cognitive processes, creating the overall experience of childbirth. Therefore, the investigation of women's childbirth pain experience is essential. AIM: The purpose of this study is to understand women's childbirth pain and determine which influences can contribute to building different experiences. METHOD: A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted to explore the women's childbirth pain experiences, by understanding the influences on their experiences. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 21 women in a hospital setting in São Paulo, Brazil, and analysed by thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) experiencing childbirth pain, (2) face-to-face with pain, and (3) empowerment needs. DISCUSSION: Many factors influence how Brazilian women manage pain and shape their experience during childbirth. The findings suggest that when women had a positive experience, they asked for minimal support, demonstrated balance, and expressed that the pain was manageable; when they had unfavourable experiences, they regarded pain as a threat and a punishment and associated it with unpleasant emotions. CONCLUSION: The results outlined concerns that should be addressed in the provision of specific, appropriate care for women, to support them in improving their experience during childbirth. Crown