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The experience of precipitate labor
1Health Sciences Centre Site, Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Background:
Despite abundant research on psychosocial factors related to childbirth, no studies have focused on the specific phenomenon of a precipitate labor. A descriptive exploratory study was conducted to investigate this experience.
Method:
Semistructured interviews were conducted in 1992 with 11 women 3 to 4 months after they gave birth. Transcribed interviews were then analyzed using latent content analysis.
Results:
The experience of precipitate labor was categorized in terms of physical experience (perception of labor length and contractions), psychological experience (relationship of how women perceived birth to their prenatal expectations, and emotional trajectory of disbelief, alarm panic, and relief), and external factors (support persons and hospital system).
Conclusions:
Understanding the experience of precipitate labor is essential before caregivers can offer appropriate support to clients. Perinatal caregivers gain valuable insight into a woman's experience by comprehending the speed, intensity, and emotional impact specific to precipitate labor.