[{Importance and realization of expectations of the experience of childbirth in primaparas}].

The discrepancy between childbirth as planned and childbirth as actually experienced raises concerns about the consideration accorded to women's demands. This descriptive study examines the importance and fulfillment of primiparas' child-birth expectations. The sample was formed of 125 pregnant women recruited from groups attending prenatal classes in community health care centres. Participants completed structured prenatal and postnatal questionnaires about six variables related to childbirth experience: control, partner's support, nurse's support, pharmacological pain relief, obstetrical interventions, and first contact with the baby. Childbirth expectations are numerous and their importance varies from one woman to another. Also, their fulfillment varies depending on their nature and is rarely associated with the importance given to them by the woman. Overall, three variables, control, partner's support, and nurse's support were ranked equally as the most important by participants. Nurses should make more efforts to fulfill women's expectations and individualize their approach. They are instrumental in having this short but intensely meaningful event in a woman's life contribute to the development of a healthy identity as a mother.