Experiences of childbirth care in Lithuania and Romania: Insights from the European Babies Born Better survey.

Abstract

Data on experience and satisfaction of users are essential for improvement of health care, especially in the field of childbirth. The aim of this study was to compare childbirth care experiences in Lithuania and Romania. Data derived from the EU Babies Born Better online survey were analyzed. Parturients from Lithuania (N = 373) and Romania (N = 359) who had given birth within the last 5 years were included. Participants were asked to (1) describe the best things in childbirth care and (2) suggest changes in the care received at their birthplace. Qualitative data were analyzed using a previously developed deductive coding framework. In agreement with previous findings from Austria, positive experiences mainly addressed care experienced at an individual level (in particular healthcare practitioners' competence and personality traits) and suggested changes mainly addressed services at birthplace (issues related to infrastructure, information and counseling, and empowerment). Responses not initially included in the coding framework addressed aspects such as informal payment (in both countries), desire for home birth (particularly in Lithuania), or mistreatment of parturients (particularly in Romania). We conclude that similar trends in childbirth care exist in Lithuania and Romania with regard to parturients' personal experiences and psychosocial needs and that addressing the needs of parturients is important for improving service provision.