Percepção dos aspectos físico-espaciais em ambientes de parturição: um estudo qualitativo sobre a humanização do parto natural em hospitais

Abstract

The birth environment plays a crucial role in the well-being and experience of birthing women, impacting both the birth process and the emotional comfort of the mothers. In this context, the present study aimed to qualitatively analyze the birthing environments in a reference hospital in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, considering the physical-spatial aspects that can contribute to the humanization of natural childbirth. The research employed a qualitative approach, using the case study method, and was divided into two stages: archive research and fieldwork. The archive research involved documentary research on the history of childbirth, birthing environments, current legislation, the concept of environmental perception, among others. The fieldwork stage included visits with direct observations, photographic records, and interviews, analyzing both the physical and subjective elements of the birthing environments. The results revealed that the perception of the birthing environment is significantly influenced by physical-spatial aspects. Elements such as privacy, lighting control, and appropriate space configuration were highlighted by the women as crucial factors for a more humanized and comfortable birth experience. Important differences were identified between public (SUS) and private birthing environments. In the SUS environments, women reported a greater lack of privacy and control over the space, often attributed to shared spaces with other people and the use of curtains as dividers. In private environments, the interviewees highlighted a greater ability to personalize the space, with options for light control and increased privacy. Furthermore, the research found that the current Brazilian legislation prioritizes physical safety aspects in childbirth but still lacks guidelines that address subjective factors and the humanization of the physical space. Comparisons with international practices suggest that countries with a greater focus on the humanization of childbirth tend to more effectively balance the physical, emotional, and social aspects of birthing environments. In summary, the research concludes that the perception of birthing environments by both women and healthcare professionals is directly related to physical-spatial aspects, which vary in importance and impact the experience in different ways between SUS and private settings. Based on the analyzed data, it is recommended to implement improvements in birthing environments, focusing on increasing privacy, offering more control over the space, and including more appropriate furniture to meet the needs of the women, thus promoting a more humanized and comfortable experience for all users.