Benfield Rebecca, Heitkemper Margaret M, Newton Edward R
College of Nursing, Health Sciences Building, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, United States.
Director - Center for Women's Health, Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, Box 357266, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195-7266, United States.
Midwifery. 2018 Sep;64:110-114. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2018.06.005. Epub 2018 Jun 15.
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.
An exploratory, descriptive design.
Low risk obstetrical clinics.
Healthy Hispanic, Black, White, American-Indian and Asian women (N = 41) at >37 weeks gestation.
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.
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.
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.
尽管分娩期间洗澡（水疗法）被广泛用于减轻焦虑和疼痛并促进放松，但产妇关于洗澡的文化观念的影响实际上却鲜为人知。这项初步研究探讨了孕妇洗澡的经历、分娩时洗澡的经历以及关于洗澡的文化观念。
探索性、描述性设计。
低风险产科诊所。
妊娠超过37周的健康西班牙裔、黑人、白人、美国印第安人和亚洲女性（N = 41）。
在常规产前检查期间，女性回答了一份关于洗澡用途的简短开放式问卷。数据通过一种改良的人种学方法收集，包括观察、笔记记录，并进行主题分析和对回答率百分比的量化。
46%（N = 41）的女性洗澡并非出于卫生目的，但这些女性中只有4.9%（N = 41）在之前分娩时洗过澡。女性将洗澡描述为放松、舒缓、平静且对缓解月经痉挛和分娩宫缩有效。10%的女性报告了关于洗澡的文化观念。
洗澡的女性报告焦虑减轻、月经和分娩疼痛缓解以及身心放松得到促进。研究结果不支持洗澡与可识别的文化观念相关的观点；相反，它们表明洗澡是女性使用的一种自我护理措施。这种做法可能由女性长辈通过口头传统代代相传。认为种族或族裔会妨碍洗澡的假设可能是错误的。对于妊娠未满37周的孕妇，应给予警示说明，避免为缓解痉挛或宫缩而洗澡，并寻求立即的医疗评估。对文化完整群体的研究可能会发现与分娩时洗澡以及作为痛经自我护理措施相关的其他主题。
