Abstract
M.Cur.
The primigravida's experience of childbirth is influenced by the
knowledge and expectations she has of childbirth. Her expectations
of childbirth are based on the information she got from the
antenatal clinic, the nursing staff, her mother, friends and
family. The purpose of this research was to determine the knowledge
and expectations the primigravida has of childbirth.
An exploratory, descriptive design was used within the context of
an academic hospital in Johannesburg. The survey method was
used. The method of research firstly consisted of a literature
study of the primigravida's knowledge and expectations of childbirth.
This was done in order to put the problem in perspective
and also to serve as a theoretical framework for the study.
Secondly, a structured questionnaire was used to make a survey of
the primigravida's knowledge and expectations of childbirth.
The test sample comprised all white primigravidas between the
ages of 15 and 39 years with a pregnancy duration of 37 weeks and
more who visited the antenatal clinic of an academic hospital in
Johannesburg. Over a period of 11 weeks, from 15 october to
30 December 1989, 29 primigravidas participated in this research
project. The questionnaires were completed with their visit to
the antenatal clinic and then returned to the clinic staff.
Descriptive statistics and frequency tables were used to interpret
the results of the research. From this research it is
clear that the respondents had insufficient knowledge of childbirth
and the handling of pain during childbirth. This insufficient
knowledge can mainly be attributed to the poor attendance
of antenatal . preparation classes, inadequate professional
counselling and the mother of the primigravida as the primary
source of information on childbirth. The respondents, however,
had realistic expectations· with regard to their handling of
labour, as well as of the role of the midwife and the doctor.