Recorded presentation

Cindy Little, CWHNP, MSN and Linda Bennington, RN. Nursing, Old Dominion University, Hughes Hall, Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23529, 757-683-4298, clittle@odu.edu

Historically nursing utilized the model of caring for the body, mind and spirit of the patient. This changed with professional maturation and nursing adopted the Western world paradigm, which stipulated the doctrine of systematic examination. In this ideology, nurses cared for a bio-psycho-social being that placed any aspect of spirituality under psychology and sociology (Barnum, 2003). As is frequently demonstrated in life, however, everything old is new again and the old paradigm evolved into the new paradigm, which once again brought spirituality to the forefront. There is evidence from the literature that spirituality is a missing component of prenatal care and that its inclusion could not only augment the experience of a normal pregnancy but enhance the prenatal care provided and influence outcomes. Recognizing that the United States is a culturally diverse country, it becomes evident that an understanding of spirituality as it relates to one’s religious and traditional background is essential. Childbirth and pregnancy are often viewed as a spiritual experience by women and is shared through birth stories. This presentation will examine the paradigm of spirituality within the areas of healing and risk and resilience in pregnancy and relate it to different cultures and traditions in an attempt to provide meaningful prenatal care.

Learning Objectives:

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation