Spirituality in Childbearing Women

Abstract

Childbearing is the ideal context within which to enrich spirituality. The purpose of this study was to generate themes regarding spirituality and religiosity among culturally diverse childbearing women. A secondary analysis was performed, using existing narrative data from cross-cultural studies of childbearing women. The following themes emerged from the data: childbirth as a time to grow closer to God, the use of religious beliefs and rituals as powerful coping mechanisms, childbirth as a time to make religiosity more meaningful, the significance of a Higher Power in influencing birth outcomes, and childbirth as a spiritually transforming experience. In clinical settings, understanding the spiritual dimensions of childbirth is essential. Assessments of childbearing women may include the question, ''Do you have any spiritual beliefs that will help us better care for you?''

Childbirth traditions and cultural perceptions of safety in Nepal: Critical spaces to ensure the survival of mothers and newborns in remote mountain villages

“…Childbirth is a powerful personal event in women's lives as well as a significant social experience and it differs according to their culture and society (Callister, 1995(Callister, , 1997(Callister, , 2004Callister et al, 1999;Semenic et al, 2004;Liamputtong et al, 2005;Carpenter, 2009;Liamputtong, 2009;Callister and Khalaf, 2010;Schneider, 2010;Farnes et al, 2011;Lemay, 2011;Sawyer et al, 2011;Etowa, 2012). Therefore, any understanding of women's pregnancy and childbirth experiences requires understanding their culture, tradition and social values because the degree of control and type of choice that women can make during pregnancy and childbirth depends on societal values and what societies offer to reproductive women (Janssen et al, 2009;Dahlen et al, 2010a;Lindgren and Erlandsson, 2010;Namey and Lyerly, 2010;Douglas, 2011;Snowden et al, 2011).…”

Suspended liminality: breastfeeding and becoming a mother in two NICUs

“…Almost all the participating mothers expressed a sense of spiritual awareness, a force or a higher power beyond their control that helped them to cope with their fears and anxieties. Some research reifies spirituality and religiosity as important components of health and well-being for many (Baumiller 2002;Callister & Khalaf, 2010;Yuen 2011). Pregnancy and childbirth have been particularly perceived as spiritual events throughout history and across cultures because of the miraculous processes involved (Obeidat & Callister 2011; Linhares 2012).…”

Facilitating learning of spirituality in midwifery

“…The evidence that highlights the transformative process of the self that takes place through pregnancy (Bergum 1989;Nelson 2002;Parratt 2002;Hocking 2007) demonstrates how birth is a meaningful powerful event, and a time of change for women. Further studies demonstrate how women experience pregnancy and birth as spiritual events (Carver & Ward 2007;Jesse et al 2007;Clark Callister & Khalaf 2010). The indication is that through the transformation women will be in a place where spiritual enlightenment may occur (Clark Callister & Khalaf 2010;Crowther et al 2014).…”

“…Further studies demonstrate how women experience pregnancy and birth as spiritual events (Carver & Ward 2007;Jesse et al 2007;Clark Callister & Khalaf 2010). The indication is that through the transformation women will be in a place where spiritual enlightenment may occur (Clark Callister & Khalaf 2010;Crowther et al 2014).…”