title: Experiences with severe maternal morbidity: a qualitative study on the perception of women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to know and analyze the experiences of women who developed an episode of Severe Maternal Morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  this is a qualitative study, in which we interviewed 16 women admitted to a tertiary level hospital, as a result of this morbid state. We used content analysis in data processing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  two categories were identified: "Understanding maternal morbidity as a negative presence" and "Moving ahead: on constant alert". The interviewees mentioned negative aspects, such as treatment difficulties and hospitalization, feelings of fear, concern for the fetus, frustration with the idealized pregnancy, trauma; and positive aspects, such as learning and the expression of the divine will in the experience of illness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  effective care during the prenatal period, delivery and postpartum period should provide adequate support for the prevention and assistance in Severe Maternal Morbidity.
authors: Instituto Taquaritinguense de Ensino Superior "Dr. Aristides de Carvalho Schlobach". Taquaritinga-SP, Brasil.
authors: Daniela Vitti Ribeiro da
authors: DV
authors: Silva
authors: Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Departamento de Enfermagem. João Pessoa-Paraíba, Brasil.
authors: Maria de Fátima de Araújo
authors: Mde F
authors: Silveira
authors: Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem em Saúde Pública. Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brasil.
authors: Flávia Azevedo
authors: FA
authors: Gomes-Sponholz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult