Expectations of the upcoming birth – A survey of women’s self-efficacy and birth positions

Abstract

BackgroundAdopting an upright sacrum flexible position may facilitate physiological childbirth, which many pregnant women wish for. A positive association between women’s choice on birthing position and birthing experience has been found. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine women’s preferred birth position, self-efficacy at term and their actual birth position at time of birth. MethodsA survey of 554 pregnant Danish women at gestational week 38. Data was collected using an online survey and information was retracted from the woman’s medical record. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyse the association between self-efficacy and fulfilled wish of birth position. FindingsThe majority of women (>70 %) wished to give birth in a sacrum flexible position but more than 80 % gave birth in a non-flexible position. Less than 50 % had their wish of birth position fulfilled. All women reported overall high self-efficacy. No difference in having wish for birth position fulfilled was found comparing women with high and low self-efficacy. ConclusionsMost women wished for a sacrum flexible position but more than 80% gave birth in a sacrum non-flexible position and less than 50% had their wish for birth position fulfilled. Level of self-efficacy did not affect the likelihood of having wish of birth position fulfilled indicating that the culture at the birth setting and skills and attitudes among birth providers may have a considerable impact on women’s choice of birth position.