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Culture, bathing and hydrotherapy in labor: An exploratory descriptive pilot study.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Though bathing (hydrotherapy) is widely used during labor to decrease anxiety and pain and to promote relaxation, the influence of cultural beliefs about bathing by parturients is virtually unknown. This pilot study explored pregnant women's experiences of bathing, bathing in labor, and cultural beliefs about bathing. DESIGN:An exploratory, descriptive design. SETTING:Low risk obstetrical clinics. PARTICIPANTS:Healthy Hispanic, Black, White, American-Indian and Asian women (N?=?41) at >37 weeks gestation. METHODS:During a routine prenatal visit women responded to a brief openended questionnaire on the use of bathing. Data was captured using a modified ethnographic method involving observation and note taking with thematic analysis and quantification of percent response rates. FINDINGS:Forty-six percent (N?=?41) of women used bathing for purposes other than hygiene but only 4.9% (N?=?41) of these women bathed during a previous labor. The women described bathing as relaxing, easing, calming, and efficacious for relief of menstrual cramps and labor contractions. Ten percent of women reported cultural beliefs about bathing. CONCLUSIONS:Women who bathe, report relief of anxiety, menstrual and labor pain and promotion of mental and physical relaxation. The findings do not support the view that bathing is associated with identifiable cultural beliefs; rather, they suggest that bathing is a self-care measure used by women. This practice is likely transmitted from generation to generation by female elders through the oral tradition. Assumptions that race or ethnicity precludes the use of bathing may be faulty. Cautionary instructions should be given to pregnant women who are <37 completed weeks of gestation, to avoid bathing for relief of cramping or contractions and to seek immediate health care evaluation. Study of culturally intact groups may uncover additional themes related to bathing in labor and as a self-care measure for dysmenorrhea.

SUBMITTER: Benfield R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7104660 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Culture, bathing and hydrotherapy in labor: An exploratory descriptive pilot study.

Benfield Rebecca R Heitkemper Margaret M MM Newton Edward R ER

Midwifery 20180615

<h4>Objective</h4>Though bathing (hydrotherapy) is widely used during labor to decrease anxiety and pain and to promote relaxation, the influence of cultural beliefs about bathing by parturients is virtually unknown. This pilot study explored pregnant women's experiences of bathing, bathing in labor, and cultural beliefs about bathing.<h4>Design</h4>An exploratory, descriptive design.<h4>Setting</h4>Low risk obstetrical clinics.<h4>Participants</h4>Healthy Hispanic, Black, White, American-Indian ...[more]

PMID: 29961561

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Project description:ObjectivesThis study aimed to understand the personality characteristics of emergency medicine (EM) residents and assess consistency and variations among residency programs.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of residents (N = 140) at five EM residency programs in the United States completed three personality assessments: the Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI)-describing usual tendencies; the Hogan Development Survey (HDS)-describing tendencies under stress or fatigue; and the Motives, Values, and Preferences Inventory (MVPI)-describing motivators. Differences between EM residents and a normative population of U.S. physicians were examined with one-sample t-tests. Differences between EM residents by program were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance tests.ResultsOne-hundred forty (100%), 124 (88.6%), and 121 (86.4%) residents completed the HPI, HDS, and MVPI, respectively. For the HPI, residents scored lower than the norms on the adjustment, ambition, learning approach, inquisitive, and prudence scales. For the HDS, residents scored higher than the norms on the cautious, excitable, reserved, and leisurely scales, but lower on bold, diligent, and imaginative scales. For the MVPI, residents scored higher than the physician population norms on altruistic, hedonistic, and aesthetics scales, although lower on the security and tradition scales. Residents at the five programs were similar on 22 of 28 scales, differing on one of 11 scales of the HPI (interpersonal sensitivity), two of 11 scales of the HDS (leisurely, bold), and three of 10 scales of the MVPI (aesthetics, commerce, and recognition).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the personality characteristics of EM residents differ considerably from the norm for physicians, which may have implications for medical students' choice of specialty. Additionally, results indicated that EM residents at different programs are comparable in many areas, but moderate variation in personality characteristics exists. These results may help to inform future research incorporating personality assessment into the resident selection process and the training environment.

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Culture, bathing and hydrotherapy in labor: An exploratory descriptive pilot study.

Publications

Culture, bathing and hydrotherapy in labor: An exploratory descriptive pilot study.

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