Mozambican women's experience of labour pain

Abstract

The study sought to describe Mozambican women's experience of labour pain. The study sought to determine the manner in which labour pain is perceived and to determine the culturally acceptable behaviour of Mozambican women as they experience labour pain. The preferred pain relief measures and cultural practices and beliefs pertaining to labour pain by this cultural group were also studied.

The major inferences drawn from this study are that during labour, Mozambican women mainly respond stoically to the experience of labour. They also exhibited different kinds of behaviour in response to labour pain, such as rubbing the painful site, tossing about in bed, and verbalisation. The implication of the study is that Swazi nurse-midwives should render culture congruent maternity care to the women during labour.