title: The sounds of silence-a hermeneutic interpretation of childbirth post excision.
abstract: Four women who had been excised were interviewed about their experiences of giving birth. Using hermeneutic phenomenology we analyzed their narratives to more fully understand their experiences of childbirth in the context of excision. Childbirth is characterized by silence related to excision. To ensure safe care, increased communication is needed. The onus for opening channels of communication rests with health professionals whose aim is to provide safe, appropriate care to women and their families. In this article we give voice to women's call for sensitive communication that acknowledges their excision and supports them through the challenges it presents for birth.
authors.affiliation: a Centre Hospitalier du Forez , Montbrison , France.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: d'Entremont
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smythe
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McAra-Couper
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019093:Circumcision, Female / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000208:ethnology*; D033262:Narration; D036801:Parturition / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011287:Prejudice; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires