Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40574467›Full record

ArticleJournal of advanced nursing2026

Overcoming Shame to Vocalise During Childbirth: A Qualitative Interview Study.

Laura A Zinsser, Nancy I Stone

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of advanced nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Laura A ZinsserHannover Medical School, Midwifery Research and Education Unit, Hannover, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2870-0119
Nancy I StoneHannover Medical School, Midwifery Research and Education Unit, Hannover, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2404-7845

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft 536414716
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo explore women's experiences of vocalisation during childbirth and the interplay with their feelings of shame.

designThis interpretive, qualitative study is grounded in a social constructionist theory of gender, which provides a lens for examining the role of vocal toning in childbirth.

methodsBetween November 2023 and March 2024, 18 women in Germany were interviewed postpartum either at home or virtually. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

resultsTwo themes were generated: 'the shame of being heard' and 'the value of my voice'. The findings demonstrate challenges women faced when vocalising during childbirth due to feelings of shame. Overcoming social norms were key; previous experience with vocalisation was an advantage. Vocal expression was also facilitated by a safe, supportive birth environment.

conclusionShame influences behaviour during childbirth. A key factor appears to be whether women feel safe and uninhibited in their vocal expression, which can be supported through empathic birth companions. Additionally, vocalising with others can contribute to normalising the experience and reducing feelings of shame. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION CARE: The findings suggest that healthcare professionals can help women overcome shame to use vocalisation as a tool to navigate the challenges of childbirth. REPORTING

methodReporting adhered to the SRQR checklist. PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: This study did not include client or public involvement in its design, conduct, or reporting.

Indexed as

MothersParturitionShameAdultFemaleGermanyHumansPregnancyQualitative ResearchYoung Adultagencychildbirthcultural normslabourmidwiferyqualitativeshamevocalising

Identifiers

PMID40574467
PMCPMC12907589

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.