title: Emotion work among pregnant and birthing women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  previous research has examined emotional labour as an important component of the occupational work of midwives and gynaecological nurses. Fewer studies explore emotion work by women during normal pregnancy and birth, and existing studies emphasise emotion work based on the midwife-woman relationship. This study explores use of emotion work during pregnancy and birth among a sample of women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  the study objective is to identify the mechanisms and purposes of emotion work among women during pregnancy and birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  data consist of 18 in-depth interviews with women regarding their pregnancy and birth experiences and seven online pregnancy journals. Data were analysed to identify themes in participant's descriptions of emotion work during pregnancy and birth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  participants described four methods of emotion work that included shifting cognitive focus, exerting control, social support and using technology. Participants used emotion work for the four main purposes of maintaining their own and their babies' health, coping with negative events, managing pain, and achieving their desired birth. Although some emotion work was undertaken in relational context with the midwife or partner, much of the emotion work described took place in solitude.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  social support from midwives or partners was a form of emotion work that facilitated positive interpretations of the birth experience.
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida, Department of Sociology, 4000 Central Florida Blvd., Orlando, FL 32816-1360, USA. Electronic address: skcarter@ucf.edu.
authors.forename: Shannon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Valdosta State University, Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, 1500 N. Patterson St., Valdosta, GA 31698, USA. Electronic address: sguittar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Stephanie Gonzalez
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Guittar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000523:psychology; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013672:Technology; D014956:Writing; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Birth; Emotion work; Midwifery; Pregnancy