Intentionality of women’s actions in labor: a study in social phenomenology

Abstract

Objective: to understand the intentionality of women’s autonomous actions in labor. Methods: a study in Alfred Schütz’s social phenomenology, developed with 15 puerperal women admitted to a university hospital in southern Brazil. Data were collected through phenomenological interviews and analyzed according to the adopted framework and the comparison with scientific productions. Results: the actions intended to receive physical and emotional support from their companions, from pregnancy, for a peaceful delivery with less pain, fast and without interventions. The intention was to do the right things for the child’s well-being and, after delivery, to be painless and active to take care of their children. Final considerations: women’s actions have intentionality arising from their knowledge, which is guided by the social relationships established in the world of life.