Giving birth: Expectations of first time mothers in Switzerland at the mid point of pregnancy

Publication date: Available online 30 May 2017
Source:Women and Birth
Author(s): Valerie Fleming, Yvonne Meyer, Franziska Frank, Susanne van Gogh, Laura Schirinzi, Bénédicte Michoud, Claire de Labrusse
Problem and backgroundDespite a generally affluent society, the caesarean section rate in Switzerland has steadily climbed in recent years from 22.9% in 1998 to 33.7% in 2014. Speculation by the media has prompted political questions as to the reasons. However, there is no clear evidence as to why the Swiss rate should be so high especially in comparison with neighbouring countries.AimTo describe the emerging expectations of giving birth of healthy primigravid women in the early second semester of pregnancy in four Swiss cantons.MethodsQualitative individual interviews with 58 healthy primigravid women, were audio recorded, transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis. Recruitment took place through public and private hospitals, birth centres, obstetricians and independent midwives. The main ethical issues were informed consent, autonomy, confidentiality and anonymity.FindingsThe three main themes identified were taking or avoiding decisions, experiencing a continuum of emotions and planning the care.DiscussionBeing pregnant was part of a project women had mapped out for their lives. Only three women in our sample expressed a wish for a caesarean section. One of the strongest emotions was that of fear but in contrast some participants expressed faith that their bodies would cope with the experience.ConclusionBringing together the three languages and cultures produced a truly "Swiss" study showing contrasts between a matter of fact approach to pregnancy and the concept of fear. Such a contrast is worthy of further and deeper exploration by a multi-disciplinary research team.



http://ift.tt/2rmolVX