Abstract

MARIN, Angela Helena; DONELLI, Tagma Marina Schneider; LOPES, Rita de Cássia Sobreira  and  PICCININI, Cesar Augusto. Single-mothers’ expectations and feelings concerning labour. Aletheia [online]. 2009, n.29, pp. 57-72. ISSN 1413-0394.

The present study aimed to investigate single women’s expectations regarding delivery during pregnancy and their feelings after birth. Seven single women took part in the study. They first answered an interview concerning pregnancy and, after the baby’s birth, another interview about delivery and the motherhood experience was used. Qualitative content analysis of the interviews showed that, during pregnancy, there were negative expectations regarding delivery. After birth, negative feelings were also mentioned in relation to the delivery experience, highlighting especially its difficultness. Feelings of satisfaction for the non-confirmation of the negative expectations expressed during pregnancy were also pointed out. The fact of being single did not appear to be necessarily associated to the negative experience of delivery. The support received by women seemed to be much more important than who gave the support.

Keywords : Pregnancy; Delivery; Single mothers.

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