Abstract
This article sought to understand the maternal imaginary on cesarean and vaginal deliveries. Data were collected by means of a literature review and semi-structured interviews conducted with four pregnant women, participants of the Group of Pregnant Women in a public maternity hospital in Goiânia, and treated by content analysis. The results indicate that mothers tend to have a more positive view of the vaginal route, associating surgical deliveries to pregnancy complications. Being mostly informed by the experiences of other women rather than by medical knowledge, and thus influenced by stories of violence, pain, and disrespect, the imagery of participants proved to be largely permeated by negative feelings and ideas about both types of birth, such as fear, anxiety, and concern. Thus, in the current health context, the maternal imaginary understands childbirth as a feared event, which one would want to avoid. This finding highlights the inappropriate healthcare provided to pregnant women, failing in properly guiding and preventing them from controlling the delivery scene, being left on the margins of humanization. This is because the therapeutic care aimed at women is not based on the patient’s opinion and feelings, thus contributing to the maintenance of this negative imagery about childbirth and demanding greater commitment in relation to practices and permanent education.
Keywords:
Maternal Experience; Maternal Imagery; Puerperal Experience; Health Culture