Childbearing women's perceptions of nursing care that promotes dignity

To gain an understanding of the perceptions of childbearing women about the maintenance of dignity while laboring and giving birth.

Descriptive qualitative study.

A university community in the western United States.

Twenty low-risk primiparous women who had recently given birth to healthy term neonates.

Semistructured audio-taped interviews were conducted in the homes of participants using an interview guide.

The following themes were identified: (a) nurses played a pivotal role in preserving dignity during childbirth, (b) women appreciated feeling valued and respected, and (c) dignity was enhanced by nursing care that gave women their preferred level of control.

Nursing behaviors that demonstrate valuing and respect of childbearing women are essential in preserving the quality of the birth experience.