Relationship between power and knowledge in choosing a cesarean section: women’s perspectives

Abstract

Objectives: to analyze the reasons and motives that initiates the decision to choose a cesarean section, by describing the plots, power relationships, struggles, and systems of truths regarding this method of childbirth. Methods: a qualitative study, inserted into a poststructuralist perspective, and conducted in a city in southern Rio Grande do Sul state. The settings were a teaching hospital and home residences. Thirteen postpartum women who had a cesarean section participated. The analysis consisted of questions based on the information produced and articulated with Foucauldian theories. Results: two categories were developed: “I wanted a vaginal delivery, but it was a cesarean section”, and, “Are you sure you want a vaginal delivery: paths and detours in the choice of cesarean section”. Final Considerations: the study allowed us to identify problems in the choice for a cesarean section, which is associated with the circulation of “truths” that occur via discourses on society.

Misinformation in childbirth and online exchanges: support among generational peers

“…In a study about pregnant women's choice as to the type of childbirth, Santana et al (2015) emphasized that for some of the pregnant women interviewed by them, the medical guidance they had received favored the option of elective cesarean sections, while others related that they still did not know what type of childbirth they would want due to doubts stemming from lack of information. The results both of that study and a survey by Escobal et al (2022) highlighted that the women often chose cesarean births due to a lack of information or even due to information lacking a scientific basis transmitted to them by health professionals, which increases the apprehension and insecurity related to childbearing. Consistent with those studies, a study by Zambrano et al (2003) underscored pregnant women's fear of childbirth pain as well as misinformation and inadequate prenatal care as the main determining factors of elective C-sections.…”

Percepções e vivências de mulheres sobre violência obstétrica

“…Em vista disso, os achados do presente estudo coadunam-se com a literatura e demonstram que, mesmo que a mulher manifeste o desejo pelo parto vaginal, seu desejo não é respeitado pelo profissional de saúde. Portanto, verifica-se que a gestante precisa buscar informações e o apoio de amigos, familiares e outros profissionais de saúde para sustentar a sua decisão frente às imposições do obstetra (ESCOBAL et al, 2021).…”

“…Ainda observou-se relatos de violência verbal, as quais podem ser caracterizadas por atitudes humilhantes e discriminatórias contra a parturiente. A literatura explica que essas situações são sustentadas pelas relações de poder entre profissionais de saúde e gestantes, em que os primeiros são considerados como detentores do conhecimento e elas como passivas e vulneráveis (ESCOBAL et al, 2021). Ademais, foi constatado, a partir dos depoimentos, que a negligência e a falta de humanização na assistência às gestantes constituem um cotidiano "comum".…”