Experiences leading up to childbirth by women who chose to have a painless delivery during pregnancy

Abstract

Purpose
This study records and clarifies the reasons for which women choose during pregnancy to undergo painless childbirth through epidural anesthesia, as well as their experiences through childbirth.
Subjects and methods

Semi-structured interviews and qualitative descriptive analyses were carried out during the hospitalization and one-month checkups of fourteen women who gave birth through elective painless childbirth, and whose progress, like their children's, was satisfactory from pregnancy through postparturition.
Results
Women who chose painless childbirth during pregnancy had distinctive backgrounds including a natural tendency to be frightened, a desire to preserve their strength for after the birth, a desire to give birth safely, a desire to redress the unsatisfactory experience of a previous childbirth, and so on. They felt that "painless childbirth was their only possible option." Further, they "justified giving birth through painless childbirth" from information that it was the mainstream method overseas and/or from hearing from others who had experienced it, and "gained a sense of security during pregnancy" from giving birth through painless childbirth. On the other hand, they felt "anxiety regarding giving birth through painless childbirth" and "confusion at prejudices regarding painless childbirth," and coped with these in their own ways during pregnancy.
Conclusion
From the results of this study, it is desirable for women choosing painless childbirth to feel when making their choice that it is the only option possible for them, and to receive nursing support which fully understands and takes into account anxieties and prejudices regarding giving birth through painless childbirth.