Humanization of Childbirth

Woman-Centered and Birth-Centered Approaches

Authors

  • Camila Figueiró Dias Braun Mariano
  • Ana Clara de Sena Araújo
  • Fernanda de Sousa Castro
  • Gabriela Vasques dos Santos
  • Lucas Barbosa Pereira
  • Esther Cabral Jersey

Keywords:

Humanization, Childbirth, Women

Abstract

Objective: Humanized childbirth care is an essential component of obstetric care and aims to promote maternal and neonatal health. Because the way this care is delivered has a direct impact on the physical and psychological outcomes of both mother and newborn, methods and practices that promote more humanized care are essential. Therefore, this article aims to highlight more humanized approaches to childbirth care through an integrative review of articles from the last five years, selected from the PubMed database using the PRISMA protocol. After analyzing the literature, it was observed that the practices of mindfulness, yoga, music therapy, virtual reality, water immersion, and continuous doula support have demonstrated beneficial effects in humanizing childbirth care, bringing greater physical and mental comfort to pregnant women. Therefore, it is necessary that non-pharmacological approaches to childbirth care be applied appropriately to value the holistic dimension of birth, thus strengthening the promotion of maternal and child health.

References

VAN DER MEULEN, R. T. et al. Mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting for pregnant women with high fear of childbirth and their partners: outcomes of a randomized controlled trial assessing short- and longer-term effects on psychological well-being, birth and pregnancy experience. Midwifery, v. 116, p. 103545, jan. 2023. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36375411/.

PERKOVIĆ, R. et al. Relationship between Education of Pregnant Women and Listening to Classical Music with the Experience of Pain in Childbirth and the Occurrence of Psychological Symptoms in Puerperium. Psychiatria Danubina, v. 33, n. Suppl 13, p. 260–270, 1 dez. 2021.Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35150494/

RONG, L. et al. Efficacy of yoga on physiological and psychological discomforts and delivery outcomes in Chinese primiparas. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, v. 44, p. 101434, ago. 2021. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34175716/

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XIE, J.; ZENG, Q. Application of virtual reality technology combined with moderate perineal protection in natural childbirth. Ginekologia Polska, 23 nov. 2022. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36448347/

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FRANCISCA et al. Cost-Effectiveness of the Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting Program for Pregnant Women With Fear of Childbirth. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 1 nov. 2023. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37984493/

MAUDE, R. M.; KIM, M. Getting into the water: A prospective observational study of water immersion for labour and birth at a new zealand district health board. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, v. 20, n. 1, 20 maio 2020. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32434478/

SOBCZAK, A. et al. The effect of doulas on maternal and birth outcomes: A scoping review. Cureus, v. 15, n. 5, 2023. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10292163/

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Published

2026-03-01

How to Cite

Mariano, C. F. D. B., Araújo, A. C. de S., Castro, F. de S., Santos, G. V. dos, Pereira, L. B., & Jersey, E. C. (2026). Humanization of Childbirth: Woman-Centered and Birth-Centered Approaches. Revista De Divulgação Científica Sena Aires, 15(Esp.3), 47–53. Retrieved from https://rdcsa.emnuvens.com.br/revista/article/view/1106

Issue

Vol. 15 No. Esp.3 (2026): REVISA-Número Especial- Congresso Interdisciplinar da Área Médica

Section

Literature Review

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Revista de Divulgação Científica Sena Aires

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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