Information and Relationship Functions of Communication between Pregnant Women and Their Health Care Providers

Abstract

Pregnancy is a unique health context, as women undergo physical, social, and identity transformations across gestation and childbirth. Prenatal health care providers, such as obstetricians and midwives, play principal roles in how patients understand and navigate pregnancy, and patient-centered communication is an approach to clinical interaction that can help patients as they encounter physical and social changes. Communication scholarship on patient-centered communication has not considered the pregnancy context, and the pregnancy literature on patient-centered care lacks insight from the field of communication. In this study, our goal was to document participants' accounts of communication with their health care provider during pregnancy and delivery. In-depth interviews with 21 cisgender, heterosexual women who had recently given birth were conducted, asking about perceptions of pregnancy, communication with their prenatal provider, and their labor and delivery experience. Seven functions of communication, organized into information and relationship functions, emerged. Results both comport with and add to existing literature on patient-centered communication in prenatal settings and have pragmatic value for improving provider-patient interactions during pregnancy.

Prescribing Drugs to Pregnant Women in Primary Healthcare

“…The patient, as well as the doctor, has the responsibility to provide accurate information during the medical examination and treatment. Regardless of the reason and age, every pregnant woman should clearly provide information about her pregnancy status when she applies to a health institution (21)(22)(23).…”

Communication Between Pregnant People of Color and Prenatal Care Providers in the United States: An Integrative Review

“…Researchers have demonstrated that outcomes such as satisfaction with care are influenced by quality communication and person‐centered care 5,6 . In pregnancy, optimal communication has been shown to increase satisfaction with care, decrease anxiety, and increase motivation for health behavior change 7,8 . Pregnant individuals who actively engage in communication with their health care providers and advocate for themselves are more likely to receive comprehensive health information and report a sense of being respected 9 …”

Comparing the Effectiveness of a Web-Based Application With a Digital Live Seminar to Improve Safe Communication for Pregnant Women: 3-Group Partially Randomized Controlled Trial

“…For a positive labor and birth experience, safe communication between the HCW and pregnant women and their families in a trusting, respectful, and empathetic environment is necessary [ 10 ]. In such an environment, pregnant women can openly share their feelings and needs [ 11 - 13 ].…”