Parturients' temporal experiences during the phases of labor

Birth as a neuro-psycho-social event: An integrative model of maternal experiences and their relation to neurohormonal events during childbirth

BACKGROUND

Psychological aspects of labor and birth have received little attention within maternity care service planning or clinical practice. The aim of this paper is to propose a model demonstrating how neurohormonal processes, in particular oxytocinergic mechanisms, not only control the physiological aspects of labor and birth, but also contribute to the subjective psychological experiences of birth. In addition, sensory information from the uterus as well as the external environment might influence these neurohormonal processes thereby influencing the progress of labor and the experience of birth.

METHODOLOGY

In this new model of childbirth, we integrated the findings from two previous systematic reviews, one on maternal plasma levels of oxytocin during physiological childbirth and one meta-synthesis of women´s subjective experiences of physiological childbirth.

FINDINGS

The neurobiological processes induced by the release of endogenous oxytocin during birth influence maternal behaviour and feelings in connection with birth in order to facilitate birth. The psychological experiences during birth may promote an optimal transition to motherhood. The spontaneous altered state of consciousness, that some women experience, may well be a hallmark of physiological childbirth in humans. The data also highlights the crucial role of one-to-one support during labor and birth. The physiological importance of social support to reduce labor stress and pain necessitates a reconsideration of many aspects of modern maternity care.

CONCLUSION

By listening to women's experiences and by observing women during childbirth, factors that contribute to an optimized process of labor, such as the mothers' wellbeing and feelings of safety, may be identified. These observations support the integrative role of endogenous oxytocin in coordinating the neuroendocrine, psychological and physiological aspects of labor and birth, including oxytocin mediated. decrease of pain, fear and stress, support the need for midwifery one-to-one support in labour as well as the need for maternity care that optimizes the function of these neuroendocrine processes even when birth interventions are used. Women and their partners would benefit from understanding the crucial role that endogenous oxytocin plays in the psychological and neuroendocrinological process of labor.

The Development and Psychometric Analysis of the Women’s Experience in Childbirth Survey

Background and Purpose: A woman’s perception of the childbirth experience has not been adequately measured. The purpose of the Women’s Experience in Childbirth Survey (WECS) is to provide a comprehensive measure of the experience for women having a vaginal birth. Methods: A cross-sectional design with 302 postpartum women analyzed the psychometric properties of the WECS. Validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis and correlation to a self-rating of the overall experience. Results: Exploratory factor analysis identified four subscales consistent with the organizing framework. WECS scores and self-rated experience were significantly correlated r = .51, p < .01. Internal consistency α = .86 and temporal stability (r = .88, p < .001) are adequate. Conclusion: Initial analysis indicates sufficient reliability and validity for further development and testing.

Time passing: a Parse research method study

This study explores the meaning of time passing for nine men with the human immunodeficiency virus. Framed within the human becoming theory, Parse's research method was chosen to guide this investigation. Findings show that for study participants time passing is a lumbering-hastening tempo clarifying opportunities and constraints, while focusing attention on gratifications amid expanding possibilities. Practice implications and directions for further research are discussed in light of study findings.

Women's temporal experiences during the delivery process: a phenomenological study

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the meaning of women's temporal experiences during the delivery process. Seven mothers were interviewed on their second day postpartum and asked to describe in depth all their thoughts and feelings related to their lived experiences of time passing during labor and delivery. Colaizzi's phenomenological method was used to analyze the data. The paradoxical and fluctuating nature of women's temporal experiences during the delivery process emerged. Implications for nursing practice are addressed.

Fundamentals of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing research: Part I

The basics of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing research are discussed in a three-part article series. In Part I, the first six steps of the research process, including the research problem, literature review, theoretical framework, variables, hypotheses, and sampling, are explained. Parts II and III will appear in the July/August and September/October 1989 issues respectively. Highlighting each step of the research process are examples from published nursing research in the areas of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing.

Norm setting for the verbal estimation of a 40-second interval by women of childbearing age

95 female college students verbally estimated a 40-sec. interval. Norms for age groups between 19 and 49 yr. were determined. All age groups overestimated the 40-sec. time interval.