A Study on the Perinatal Outcomes of Natural Childbirth Led by Midwives: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to suggest the importance of natural childbirth by investigating the results of midwife-led perinatal periods and whether they were positive experiences for both individual women and their families.Methods: This retrospective study aimed to confirm the perinatal outcomes of midwife-attended vaginal births. Among 1,127 women who gave midwife-led birth in Gyeonggi-do, Seoul between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2021, data were collected for 829 women. Records were excluded that were missing necessary data. Data on childbirth were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and the chi-square test.Results: Among the mothers who underwent natural childbirth, 549 (66.2%) were multiparous. In addition, all 829 patients (100%) breast-fed their infants. First-degree perineal lacerations occurred in 29.2% of patients, and second-degree lacerations occurred in 48%. Non–high-risk subjects made up 56.0% of the study sample. The average bleeding amount was 281.44±4.50, and the average 1-minute Apgar score for infants was 8.25±0.02.Conclusion: Compared to childbirth in a hospital, natural childbirth was associated with a lower risk of birth canal laceration, postpartum bleeding, and Cesarean section. In addition, the health statuses of the newborns were confirmed to be good . Based on the results of this study, there is a need for a strategy in which midwife-led natural childbirth is integrated into the local medical system, as well as a need to raise women's awareness of natural childbirth and positively influence the experience.