Cultural Conceptions of Women’s Labor Pain and Labor Pain Management

• In Event: 4263 - The Role of Culture and Organizations in Reproductive Experiences

Abstract

Although fictional representations of childbirth reflect widespread cultural beliefs that labor pain is severe and unbearable, these beliefs have rarely been examined in academic literature. Yet, experimental psychological studies suggest that cultural beliefs (e.g., racial stereotypes about pain) may affect labor-pain management by influencing the perceptions of nurses and doctors, gatekeepers of analgesic pain relief methods. We assess cultural beliefs about labor pain and labor-pain management, including potential disparate beliefs about the experience of labor pain by women of different racial and ethnic groups and if and how pain should be managed. Participants were recruited from MTurk (online) to take a survey covering these topics. We used a mixed methods approach by using both closed-ended and open-ended questions allowing quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Through an analysis of qualitative data, we found that cultural beliefs about labor pain are tied to a sexual view of women’s bodies, American individualistic ideology, and Biblical conceptions of labor pain as punishment. An analysis of the quantitative data indicates a cultural belief that White Americans have more labor pain than women of color and than the typical American woman and that Hispanic American women have less pain than the typical American women. We also find disparities in beliefs about labor pain experienced by women of different Asian and Hispanic ethnic groups. We did not find that respondent demographics of age or race affected conceptions of labor pain, giving credence to the notion that these beliefs are widespread and not tied to any particular gender or race.

Authors

• Theresa Morris, Texas A&M University-College Station

• Vani Mathur, Texas A&M University

• Kelly McNamara, Texas A&M