The meaning of the notion of intimacy and the right to respect for it in the light of the experiences of women giving birth

Abstract

The subject of interest in this article is intimacy in childbirth – how it is perceived by parturients, what determines that the birth of a child is an intimate event for them, what is a violation of their intimacy. A qualitative study was carried out, based on the analysis of birthing stories collected and made public by the Childbirth with Dignity Foundation. The starting point for the analysis was to determine how the concept of intimacy is understood in Polish language, what it means in the processes of social interaction and communication, what emotions are associated with the violation of intimacy, as well as how it is defined and protected in Polish legislation, including laws defining patient rights. The results of the research on the realization of the right to intimacy, respect for dignity and autonomy in Polish in obstetric hospitals are also presented. Analyzing the narratives of women in which they shared their experiences and reflections on childbirth and stays in hospital due to miscarriage, it was assumed that the indicator of violation/respect for their intimacy are their feelings, emotions expressed in the stories, and the way they talked about the experience. The analysis of birth stories allowed to establish that intimacy during childbirth is associated with a woman’s sense of control over others’ access to her body, her knowledge and consent regarding activities and medical interventions that interfere with her corporeality and the process of childbirth. It is also crucial that the medical staff respects the emotions, needs and expectations of the patient, treating her with respect, as a person, a subject, a leading actor in the birth process. Consideration and protection of the limits of individual intimacy is associated with the recognition of their autonomy and empowerment, and respect for their personal dignity.