ABSTRACT
Privacy and dignity are concepts which, while generically defined, are interpreted by us as individuals. The outcome is a process of adaptation where mothers attempt to maintain their privacy and dignity by putting in place strategies that enable them to deal with the intimacy involved with the process of childbirth, and then revisit their privacy and dignity after the birth has occurred. The strategies focus upon losing one's inhibitions, solitude and withdrawal, self-introversion, dealing with the indignity of ward-based procedures and losing face in a public environment. The idea of creating new life and delivering a baby into the world is an exciting experience for most mothers; it does result, though, in women being subjected to a range of intimate examinations or processes that, if undertaken at other times, may be perceived as intrusive. Women know their boundaries of privacy and dignity in any given situation and are usually able to ensure that their privacy needs are met.
