Meaning of the spiritual aspects of health care in pregnancy and childbirth.
Dirce Stein Backes, Eronis Borges Gomes, Rosiane Filipin Rangel and 3 others
PMID 36629729WHAT IT FOUND
Postpartum women described spiritual care as inseparable from emotional support, helping them cope with fear and pain.
They wanted nurses to ask about their beliefs during prenatal visits but emphasized that spirituality must never be imposed.
Key findings
01Participants viewed spiritual care as providing emotional support, comfort, and peace during pregnancy and childbirth.
02Women reported that prenatal care was often prescriptive and that their spiritual beliefs were rarely asked about or welcomed by professionals.
03While desiring spiritual support, participants insisted it cannot be imposed and must respect individual beliefs.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included only 27 women from one region in Brazil, limiting generalizability. Participants were recruited from prenatal groups, so their views may not represent women who did not attend such groups. The authors noted some participants felt insecure during interviews due to the pandemic, which may have affected openness. This is a qualitative study of perceptions, not an outcome study; it does not prove that spiritual care improves clinical results.
Declared interests
Funded by CAPES and COFEN. No other conflicts declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that offering spiritual care improves clinical outcomes like reducing postpartum depression or C-section rates. This study reports women's preferences and perceptions, not evidence that these interventions work.