Abstract

GARCIA JORDA, Dailys; DIAZ BERNAL, Zoe  and  ACOSTA ALAMO, Marlen. Childbirth in Cuba: analysis of the experience of medically supervised delivery from an anthropological perspective. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2013, vol.39, n.4, pp. 718-732. ISSN 0864-3466.

Knowledge about pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum in Cuba is currently poor. Childbirth has been fundamentally studied as a medical event from its clinical aspects. The analysis of the reproductive process from the Medical Anthropology perspective could contribute to healthcare services providing more humane treatment and to empowerment for women and men as the people primarily responsible for their reproductive processes. This study researched on the experience and the perception of childbirth in three hospitals located in Havana, with the objective of understanding the representations and practices associated to childbirth and of describing female experiences during this event. Qualitative research techniques were used such as interviews and participant observation of 36 women in labor, ten family members and nine obstetricians. The qualitative data was analyzed using Grounded Theory methodology. All the childbirths occurred with a number of medical interventions and the maternity experience was very intense. Male participation was restricted. From the anthropological perspective, the routine use of some medical interventions and the institutional regulations described herein are considered expressions of physical and gender violence.

Keywords : childbirth; labor; Medical Anthropology; motherhood; medically supervised delivery; qualitative research.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )