title: [Evaluation by focus groups on women's expectations and perceptions during the birth process].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Delivery care giving is undergoing excessive interventionism today, not supported by scientific evidence, neglecting organisational aspects and individualisation. This study analyses the perception of mothers during their delivery, postpartum and breastfeeding periods in the Galician Health Service, in order to inform and help to improve this service.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 14 focus group meetings were held (one in each Galician public hospital), consisting of women who, in 2008, delivered by vaginal delivery or those who were not scheduled for a caesarean section.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The process of birth analysis can identify a sequence of important elements both positive and negative, for mothers, and may lead to suggestions for improvement. Their experiences and opinions, especially in aspects such as participation in decision-making, mechanisation of labour and lactation, may help to conduct an assessment of the maternity ward operating. When investigating expectations and demands from users, information from perceived quality is received, and also mothers' experience is shared.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mothers call for humanity, empathy, information and participation. Facing the implementation of these elements, the key processes for working harder are the dilation stage and hospital staying.
authors.affiliation: Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Vigo, Pontevedra, España. Electronic address: maigat2002@yahoo.es.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Ferreiro-Losada
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Díaz-Sanisidro
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Martínez-Romero
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rial-Boubeta
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Varela-Mallou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clavería-Fontán
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001942:Breast Feeding; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D036801:Parturition; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D049590:Postpartum Period; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Breast feeding; Calidad asistencial; Focus groups; Grupos focales; Investigación cualitativa; Labour obstetric; Lactancia; Parto; Postpartum period; Puerperio; Qualitative research; Quality of health care