Percepções de gestantes e profissionais da saúde sobre parto normal: um estudo com grupos operativos

Abstract

Introduction: Brazil is one of the countries with the highest rates of cesarean sections, and these rates have been increasing year after year. The culture of fear of pain and the catastrophizing of natural childbirth are factors that pervade women's imagination and influence their choice of delivery method, leading them to opt for a cesarean section. Objective: To understand the perceptions, expectations, knowledge, and feelings expressed by pregnant women and healthcare professionals regarding the possibility of having a natural childbirth. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach, including participants from the "Conscious Choice of Delivery Method" project from 2021 to July 2023. The project is a collaboration between a research group at the Federal University of Uberlândia (GESTAR UFU) and the Regional Health Department of Uberlândia, conducting health activities in the form of operative group sessions in the Northern Triangle Macroregion. Results: From the word cloud analysis, the word "fear" was mentioned 72 times; "pain" 42 times; "anxiety" 25 times; and "insecurity" 15 times. In the similarity analysis, the central lexical element is "fear," with considerable connection to the word "not," which is related to women's reports of fearing not being able to have a natural childbirth. Conclusion: Factors such as fear of pain, fear of inability, anxiety, lack of knowledge about the labor process, the attitude of healthcare professionals involved in women's healthcare, and sociocultural factors influence women's choice of delivery method.