Experiences of High-Risk Parturient Women With the Use of Non-Invasive Care Technologies

Abstract

Objective: to analyze high-risk parturient women’s experiences with the use of non-invasive nursing care technologies during labor. Method: this is qualitative and descriptive research, with twenty high-risk postpartum women admitted to a tertiary maternity hospital in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data were collected from April to July 2019 through semi-structured interviews, subjected to thematic content analysis and analyzed in light of Kristen Swanson’s Theory of Caring. Results: the experiments revealed that theory processes were associated with the use of non-invasive care technologies by nurses. “Maintaining belief”, “knowing” and “being with” were made up of the following technologies: encouraging self-confidence; understanding the lived experience; bond formation; and creating a supportive and helpful relationship with parturient women. The “doing for” and “enabling” processes included other technologies that promoted comfort and facilitated the experience such as: encouraging active participation and conscious breathing; stimulation of vertical positions and pelvic movements; companion involvement in care; using resources, such as warm water, Swiss balls and essential oils; and applying massages. Conclusion: parturient women realize that the use of non-invasive care technologies by nurses shapes experiences of well-being during labor, expressed in feelings of safety, acceptance, respect, appreciation, support and comfort. The importance of investing in nurses’ work in assisting high-risk pregnancies is highlighted, as these technologies provide respectful care and women’s satisfaction with childbirth.