Perinatal mental health: women's perspectives in Freestanding Birth Centres.

• Grant number: 23/17721-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Obstetrical Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Jamile Claro de Castro Bussadori
• Grantee: Priscila Pagliotto Gatto
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Globally maternal mental health problems are considered as a major public health challenge, however, the topic is still largely neglected. In addition to these, negative experiences during pregnancy and birth, such as disrespect and abuse occurring during childbirth and postpartum care, are associated with high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Scientific evidence shows that women who give birth in a Freestanding Birth Center are more likely to feel satisfied, and less likely to be victims of mistreatment, disrespect, abuse and neglect. Aim: Analyze the birth experience in Freestanding Birth Centres and perinatal mental health. Methodology: This is a quantitative and qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study, from the conceptual perspective of the experience lived by women from the Southeast region, who participated in the phone interview of the National Birth Survey in Brazil's Birth Centers. Participants will be invited on the survey's social media. Qualitative data will be obtained through semi-structured and recorded individual interviews, on the online platform. Narratives are coded for emerging themes and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Quantitative data from these women, already collected in the telephone interview of the larger study, will be analyzed. Expected results: It is believed that the results of this study can provide important reflections on the importance of the childbirth model care and the promotion of perinatal mental health.