Impacto de la arquitectura del hospital en la experiencia de parto: un estudio fenomenológico con madres expertas en su diseño / Impact of hospital architecture on the birthing experience: a phenomenological study with mothers-to-be who are design experts

Fundamento. El lugar donde paren las madres condiciona su proceso de parto y nivel de satisfacción. El objetivo de este estudio es identificar las experiencias y percepciones acerca de los elementos de diseño del entorno del parto hasta el alta hospitalaria, que influyen en la experiencia de las madres a largo plazo. Metodología. Investigación fenomenológica de tipo método biográfico, a través del análisis temático inductivo de veinticinco testimonios de parto en el hospital, escritos por madres arquitectas, ingenieras, paisajistas o diseñadoras de interiores. Resultados. Los resultados se organizaron en cuatro temas y siete subtemas. El primer tema es la “Impresión a primera vista y largo plazo” que se subdivide en los subtemas “Itinerario despersonalizado en accesos y pasillos” y “Búsqueda instintiva de conexión con la naturaleza”. El segundo tema trata sobre el “Acompañamiento y arropamiento durante el proceso de parto” y se subdivide en “Como en un hotel: espacio para el movimiento y adaptación personalizada” y “Desamparo, frío e incertidumbre: espacios donde estar contra su voluntad”. El tercer tema son los “Daños (en espacios) colaterales”, que engloba “La integración de los aseos en el proceso de parto”, los “Quirófanos inmutables ante el parto por cesárea” y las “Salas de neonatos que no integran a las familias”. El cuarto tema incluye “Propuestas de mejora para nuevos diseños”. Conclusiones. Esta investigación permite profundizar en aspectos de diseño identificados en literatura reciente y mostrar que son necesarios más estudios que incorporen la experiencia de la mujer en el proceso del parto para promocionar políticas de diseño basadas en evidencias. (AU)

Background. The birthplace has a crucial role in shaping the childbirth experience and mothers’ satisfaction levels. This study aimed to identify the experiences and perceptions that may have an impact in the long-term on mothers’ birthing experience, considering hospital design features in the birthing environment until discharge. Methods. Inductive thematic analysis of twenty-five hospital labor testimonies employing a phenomenological research approach and utilizing a biographical method. Participants were women with a professional background in architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, or interior design. Results. The results are organized into four themes and seven subthemes. The first theme is “First sight and long term impression” which is subdivided into the subthemes “Depersonalized itinerary in entrances and corridors” and “Instinctive search for connection with nature”. The second theme deals with “Accompaniment and tucking in during the birthing process”, subdivided into “Hotel-like: space for movement and personalized adaptation” and “Helplessness, cold and uncertainty: spaces to be against one’s will”. The third theme is “Damage in collateral rooms”, which includes “The integration of toilets in the birthing process”, “Operating rooms unchangeable in the face of cesarean delivery” and “Neonatal units that do not integrate families”. Finally, the fourth theme includes “Improvement proposals for new designs”. Conclusions. This study contributes to the existing literature by deepening the understanding of the design features identified in hospitals in recent studies. Further research incorporating the experiences of women in the birthing process is needed to facilitate evidence-based design policies. (AU)

[Impact of hospital architecture on the birthing experience: a phenomenological study with mothers-to-be who are design experts].

BACKGROUND: The birthplace has a crucial role in shaping the childbirth experience and mothers' satisfaction levels. This study aimed to identify the experiences and perceptions that may have an impact in the long-term on mothers' birthing experience, considering hospital design features in the birthing environment until discharge. METHODS: Inductive thematic analysis of twenty-five hospital labor testimonies employing a phenomenological research approach and utilizing a biographical method. Participants were women with a professional background in architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, or interior design. RESULTS: The results are organized into four themes and seven subthemes. The first theme is "First sight and long term impression" which is subdivided into the subthemes "Depersonalized itinerary in entrances and corridors" and "Instinctive search for connection with nature". The second theme deals with "Accompaniment and tucking in during the birthing process", subdivided into "Hotel-like: space for movement and personalized adaptation" and "Helplessness, cold and uncertainty: spaces to be against one's will". The third theme is "Damage in collateral rooms", which includes "The integration of toilets in the birthing process", "Operating rooms unchangeable in the face of cesarean delivery" and "Neonatal units that do not integrate families". Finally, the fourth theme includes "Improvement proposals for new designs". CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the existing literature by deepening the understanding of the design features identified in hospitals in recent studies. Further research incorporating the experiences of women in the birthing process is needed to facilitate evidence-based design policies.