Women’s Perspectives on Vocalization in the First and Second Stages of Labor: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Despite growing interest in humanized childbirth practices, there is still little qualitative research exploring women’s perspectives on vocalization during labor. The present study aims to analyze women’s experiences with the use of vocalization in the fi rst and second stages of labor. A descriptive and exploratory qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 16 women in the postpartum period between February and April 2024. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling, and data saturation was achieved when no new themes emerged from the interviews. Thematic analysis was performed using IRaMuTeQ (version 0.8 alpha 7) software. The textual corpus generated allowed classifi cation into fi ve thematic categories: Vocalization as an instinctive expression in natural childbirth; Functionality of vocalization during labor; Medicalized childbirth and natural childbirth; Fears during childbirth and their contributing factors; Typology of vocalization in labor. We conclude that many women reported that vocalization during labor is instinctive and functional, providing pain relief, but also serving as a means of communication, empowering women. Its expression can be strongly infl uenced by sociocultural, emotional, and contextual factors in each woman’s particular sphere. These fi ndings, although limited to a specifi c population, suggest that healthcare professionals should consider vocalization as an individualized support tool, taking cultural differences into account.