Spiritual Experiences of Portuguese Women Who had a Water Birth

This study aimed to understand the significance of spirituality to Portuguese women who had a water birth. In-depth interviews, using a semi-structured questionnaire, were conducted with 24 women who experienced water birth at the hospital or home. Results were analyzed from a narrative interpretati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of religion and health 2023-10, Vol.62 (5), p.3267-3284
Main Authors: da Costa Silveira de Camargo, Joyce, dos Santos Oliveira Gama, Flávia, Ochiai, Angela Megumi, Araújo, Natalucia Matos, Pinheiro, Leonor Ramos, Néné, Manuela, Grande, Maria Catarina Leite Rodrigues
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Childbirth & labor
Clinical Psychology
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Original Paper
Public Health
Qualitative research
Religion
Religious Studies
Spirituality
Womens health
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Summary:This study aimed to understand the significance of spirituality to Portuguese women who had a water birth. In-depth interviews, using a semi-structured questionnaire, were conducted with 24 women who experienced water birth at the hospital or home. Results were analyzed from a narrative interpretation perspective. Three spirituality-related categories emerged: (1) Beliefs and connections with the body; (2) Spirituality: integration of being a woman and transformation during birth; and (3) Spirituality as wisdom, intuition, or the sixth sense. Spirituality was perceived in women's faith and beliefs in a superior being that helped them manage the unpredictability and uncontrollability of giving birth.
ISSN:0022-4197
1573-6571
DOI:10.1007/s10943-023-01826-3