The difficult task of choosing natural childbirth

Abstract

The movement for the search of female protagonism in childbirth arises from the feminist demands for sexual and reproductive rights in the middle of the twentieth century, which has encouraged achievements in women’s health for the last 30 years in Brazil. Objective: To understand the motivations of women using the Epi-no device to choose natural childbirth, between 2013 and 2015, describing facilitating elements (FE). Materials and method: This qualitative study was held in a university in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil. Dialogic Feminism and Communicative Methodology (CM) were used as theoretical and methodological references, through the reports of seven women, which were recorded in audio, transcribed and analyzed. Results: Age range 22 to 38 years; all with vaginal deliveries, 2 had lacerations (1st grade), and 1 an episiotomy; 6 primiparous, 2 multiparous; gestional age ranged from 36 to 41 weeks; 3 underwent massage, contraction and relaxation besides Epi-no use, 6 had doulas, and educational level varied between college graduated and postgraduate. Fourteen themes were elaborated, grouped in FE and difficulty elements (DE): Knowing their history; Hiding the game; Family/professional/doula support; Physical and psychological preparation for childbirth; and, Recognizing the phases of labor. These were regrouped into 2 CM categories: the world of life and systems, and elaborated recommendations in consensus with the women. Conclusion: It was shown that people (the world of life) play an important role as social transformers. When motivated and informed, they find encouragement and security, producing change and demonstrating that beliefs, cultures, and fears about childbirth can be demystified.