"I Didn't Know What to Expect": Hmong American Women's Childbirth Pain Experiences

Despite recognized disparities in childbirth pain, Hmong Americans remain underrepresented in research. This gap is particularly important given the Hmong community's distinct cultural beliefs, historical experiences, and potential barriers to culturally responsive care, all of which may shape pain perception, communication, and management during labor. This study examined Hmong American women's childbirth pain experiences.

This study used a descriptive qualitative design.

Participants were recruited through purposive sampling using social media and word of mouth. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Twenty-five participants participated in this study. Participants reported three themes related to their childbirth pain: (1) anticipating childbirth pain, (2) experiencing childbirth pain, and (3) managing childbirth pain. Specifically, participants reported limited anticipatory preparation and few pain management strategies. Cultural expectations and family influence decisions about pain management. During labor, some participants ultimately elected to use epidural analgesia when pain became severe or when clinical concerns arose, reporting varied experiences with pain relief, while others remained committed to nonpharmacologic approaches.

Hmong American women's childbirth pain experiences are shaped by uncertainty, strong cultural preferences and family influence for unmedicated birth, and limited formal preparation for pain management.

Culturally responsive, evidence-based prenatal education is needed to enhance anticipatory guidance and informed decision-making regarding childbirth pain management. Nurses should provide balanced counseling about pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options, proactively address culturally related concerns about medicated childbirth, and engage family members in early discussions to support culturally responsive, patient-centered care.