Comparison of the Leboyer Childbirth Method with Normal Vaginal Delivery: Mothers' Perception of Childbirth Experience, Labor Pain, Newborn's Pain Response and Maternal Attachment Behaviors

Abstract

Objectives: The Leboyer childbirth method is known as less stressful and humane delivery method for both mothers and newborns. The objectives of this study was to compare the Leboyer childbirth method with normal vaginal delivery in terms of mothers perception of the childbirth expe ’ rience, labor pain, newborn's pain response and maternal attachment behaviors. Materials and Methods: Sample of this study included forty one mothers in the Leboyer group and thirty three normal delivery mothers from two women's hospitals during the period of 28th February to 15th April 2010. All mothers completed questionnaires including the Marut and Mercer's perception of childbirth experience, 0~10 numeric scale of labor pain, Lawrence's newborn pain response, and Cropley, Lester, Pennington's maternal attachment behaviors. Results: The findings indicated significantly higher scores for mothers with the Leboyer method ’ of childbirth on the Perception of Childbirth Experience (t=7.47, p<.001) and on maternal attachment behaviors (t=10.39, p<.001) and lower scores on maternal post-labor pain (t=-2.51, p= .014) as well as on the newborn's pain (t=-5.15, p<.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups for pre-labor pain. Conclusion: Mothers with Leboyer childbirth method reported more positive maternal childbirth experiences, maternal attachment behavior, and less newborn's pain response and less post-labor pain than mothers in the comparison group with the exception of pre-labor pain.