Description
This study was an initial step toward understanding how memorable messages about childbirth socialize women into having a certain set of expectations for their birth experience. One of the primary goals of the present study was to expand the current state of birthing and interpersonal communication research by measuring the principles and behaviors that underlie memorable birthing messages, factors that in turn shape birthing expectations. A total of 71 women participated in an online questionnaire study that assessed the form and content of, as well as reactions to, pregnancy- and childbirth-related memorable messages. Consistent with previous findings, data from the present study revealed that more than 70% of the sample identified pain as a topic of childbirth memorable messages, however, only 30% reported pain as the topic of their most memorable message. Overall, memorable messages from friends and/or family dealing with pain, positive emotional experiences, and the people involved in the birthing experience produced the highest levels of positive behavioral change. Feeling vulnerable because of a memorable message and experiencing negative emotional arousal in response to a message were associated with low levels of positive behavioral change. Women's pre-pregnancy health-related values were not associated with her pregnancy health self-concept or how likely she was to change her behavior in response to a memorable message. This research extends the integration of control theory and memorable messages into the communicated sense-making of childbirth.
