Introduction

Humanized care at childbirth observes attributes in the care of pregnant women aimed at making the reproductive experience satisfactory.

Objectives

This study is aimed to hear the experiences related to pregnancy and childbirth care as well as the suggestions to strengthen humanized childbirth in an integrated healthcare subnetwork in Bogotá from the voice of women and to analyze them from a humanization perspective.

Materials and Methods

A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted based on semi-structured interviews and focus groups in 16 participants to explore the experiences of pregnancy and childbirth. A thematic analysis was implemented.

Results

Lack of opportunities and deficiencies in the coordination, information and treatment of patients affect pregnancy care. In labor and delivery, experiences related to the lack of knowledge of patient privacy, feeling like "guinea pigs", uninformed interventions, and authoritarian exercise of healthcare professional-patient power relations are reported.

Discussion

The need to ensure priority attention to pregnant women, eliminating barriers and improving information and treatment of patients is evident. In childbirth, the existence of dehumanizing practices, which have been naturalized in reproductive healthcare, is recognized and must be eradicated.

Conclusions

It is necessary to break cultural and gender paradigms that affect the humanization of pregnancy and childbirth care by providing staff training, recognizing the needs of patients and qualifying the institutional organization for childbirth care. Respect for the rights of pregnant women should be a priority in student training. Permanent support to patients is crucial.

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