Women's Childbirth Experiences Research Articles

Women's experiences of childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania.

Childbirth experiences depend on environmental factors, the provision of qualified medical and non-medical care, and the woman's psychological well-being. Stress experienced during pregnancy and childbirth affects a woman's psychological well-being. The aim of this study was to determine the care of women who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania. This qualitative study used an interview method to reveal women's childbirth experiences during and before the pandemic in Lithuania. The data obtained during the interview were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Interviews were taken from 15 women who gave birth at least twice, i.e. the first time until March 2020 (but not earlier than March 2019) and gave birth again during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 - January 2021). A total of 15 women participanted in the interviews. The experience of childbirth before the COVID-19 pandemic was seen as largely positive by women, but childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic was mentioned as more complex and negative because of the challenges posed by the pandemic, but easier for other reasons not affected by the pandemic. The results of our study show that a higher proportion of women were satisfied with delivery care in hospitals, were happy, and praised the work of midwives and other staff, which mainly contributed to a positive experience. The COVID-19 pandemic posed particular challenges to women's childbirth experiences, and not enough attention was paid to mental health. The stress that was exacerbated during the pandemic period had a profound impact on the pregnant woman in Lithuania.

Comparison of Spontaneous Pushing and Directed Pushing During the Second Stage of Labor Among Chinese Women Without Epidural Analgesia: Protocol for a Noninferior Feasibility Study.

Maternal pushing during the second stage of labor could influence labor progress and maternal-neonatal outcomes. Although the image of health care providers directing the laboring women to push during the second stage of labor could be commonly observed globally, this practice is not sufficiently researched and is questioned regarding its effectiveness and outcomes on the mother and baby. Meanwhile, a strategy referred to as "spontaneous pushing," which supports women to push by following their bodily urges, has been evaluated in several trials. However, in China, spontaneous pushing is not common practice. Notwithstanding the evaluation of spontaneous pushing, there is a lack of high-quality evidence to support either strategies of directed pushing or spontaneous pushing. This study aims to test the feasibility of a future randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of spontaneous pushing and directed pushing during the second stage of labor for maternal and neonatal outcomes in China. A nonrandomized, single-group, noninferiority feasibility study will be conducted in a public hospital in Hebei Province, China. In total, 105 women meeting the selection criteria will be recruited to receive the intervention (spontaneous pushing), while 105 sets of medical notes from women who received routine care (directed pushing) will be identified and reviewed to compare outcomes for both cohorts. A mixed methods approach will be used to assess primary outcomes (feasibility and acceptability) and secondary outcomes (effectiveness). Data collection took place between May and October 2023. A total of 110 women were invited to participate in the intervention of spontaneous pushing. Midwives' interviews were conducted and will be transcribed for analysis in March 2024. The data analysis is planned to be completed by May 2024. This feasibility study will provide important information by conducting a full-scale clinical trial in the future as well as the potential facilitators and barriers of it. A future randomized controlled trial is likely to have considerable policy and funding impacts regarding pushing management during the second stage of labor and improvement in women's childbirth experience. Chinese Clinical Trial Register ChiCTR2300071178; https://tinyurl.com/mudtnbft. DERR1-10.2196/55701.

Childbirth experiences of women with a history of physical, sexual, and child abuse: a cross-sectional study of 2,575 Russian women

BackgroundA substantial number of women who subsequently become pregnant and give birth have a history of physical, sexual, and/or child abuse. This study investigated the associations of these types of traumas and their cumulative effect with childbirth experiences, namely, mode of birth, maternal and child complications during pregnancy/childbirth, preterm birth, medical procedures, and obstetric violence during labour.Methods A group of Russian women (n = 2,575) who gave birth within the previous 12 months, completed a web-based survey, where they provided demographic information, details about their childbirth experiences, and a history of trauma.ResultsWomen with any type of past abuse were at higher risk for maternal complications during pregnancy/childbirth (exp(β) < 0.73, p < 0.010 for all). More specific to the type of trauma were associations of physical abuse with caesarean birth, child abuse with complications during pregnancy/childbirth for the baby, and physical and child abuse with obstetric violence (exp(β) < 0.54, p < 0.022 for all). There was a cumulative effect of trauma for all the outcomes except for medical procedures during childbirth and preterm birth.ConclusionThis study provides insights into potential different individual effects of physical, sexual, and/or child abuse as well as their cumulative impact on the childbirth experiences. The robust findings about maternal complications during pregnancy/childbirth and obstetric violence highlight the importance of trauma-informed care, supportive policies, and interventions to create safe and empowering birthing environments that prioritise patient autonomy, dignity, and respectful communication.

A study on the predictors of childbirth experience in women with vaginal birth in China

ObjectiveTo investigate the current situation and influencing factors of the childbirth experience of women with vaginal birth in China. MethodsA total of 481 women were surveyed using a general information questionnaire and a childbirth experience questionnaire. ResultsSignificant differences in the scores for childbirth experience were found for 13 factors, including expected mode of delivery, number of births, time since last childbirth, methods used to access information, childbirth-related fear/anxiety, confidence in completing the delivery vaginally, total labor time, mode of delivery, the use of epidural anesthetic, gender preference for the newborn, primary caregiver during hospitalization, and general scores of fathers' childbirth experience. Stepwise multiple linear regression indicated that total labor time, fathers’ general childbirth experience scores, knowledge regarding delivery, delivery-related fear/anxiety, confidence in completing the delivery vaginally, mode of delivery, primary caregiver during hospitalization, and ethnicity explained 25.1% of the variation in responses to the childbirth experience questionnaire. ConclusionTo improve the childbirth experience, medical and healthcare staff should increase maternal knowledge regarding vaginal delivery, reduce maternal fear and anxiety as well as the use of forceps and lateral incisions, and encourage spouses to be the primary caregivers during hospitalization.

Childbirth experiences in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A cohort study.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have more pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, hypertension, and preterm labor than other women. Metformin has been used in an attempt to improve pregnancy outcomes. Our study aims to explore childbirth experiences in women with PCOS compared with a reference population. It also explores the potential influence of metformin, obesity, pregnancy complications, and the duration and mode of birth on childbirth experiences. This study is a cohort study combining data from two randomized trials conducted in Norway, Sweden and Iceland. The PregMet2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01587378) investigated the use of metformin vs. placebo in pregnant women with PCOS. The Labour Progression Study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02221427) compared the WHO partograph to Zhang's guidelines for progression of labor and were used as the reference population. A total of 365 women with PCOS and 3604 reference women were included. Both studies used the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ). Main outcome measures were total CEQ score and four domain scores. The CEQ scores were compared using Mann-Whitney U test for women in Robson group 1 with PCOS (n = 131) and reference women (n = 3604). CEQ scores were also compared between metformin-treated (n = 180) and placebo-treated (n = 185) women with PCOS, and for different subgroups of women with PCOS. There was no difference in total CEQ score between women with PCOS and reference women-Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney (WMW)-odds 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78-1.17). We detected no difference in CEQ scores between the metformin- and placebo-treated women with PCOS (WMW-odds 1.13, 95% CI 0.89-1.43). Complications in pregnancy did not affect CEQ (WMW-odds 1, 95% CI 0.76-1.31). Higher body mass index (WMW-odds 0.75, 95% CI 0.58-0.96), longer duration of labor (WMW-odds 0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.96), and cesarean section (WMW-odds 0.29, 95% CI 0.2-0.42) were associated with lower CEQ scores in women with PCOS. Women with PCOS experience childbirth similarly to the reference women. Metformin did not influence childbirth experience in women with PCOS, neither did pregnancy complications. Obesity, long duration of labor or cesarean section had a negative impact on childbirth experience.

The Lived Experience of Family Support Among Women During and After Childbirth in Jordan: A Phenomenological Study.

Many studies highlight the importance of family support in enhancing the experience of childbirth among women. This qualitative study aimed to describe the lived experience of family support from the perspective of women during and after childbirth in the Jordanian context. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach was used to explore the experiences of women's family support in the context of their childbirth experiences. A total of 11 Jordanian women participated in the study. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Four major themes emerged from the data describing family support provided to women during and after childbirth. These themes were family support during childbirth, family support in the postpartum period, importance of family support during and after childbirth, and challenges related to receiving family support. Supportive family members primarily included the husband, the woman's family, and the family-in-law, according to the traditions inherited in the Jordanian context and culture. The study findings could help maternal health professionals screen pregnant women who are at risk of receiving low family support, contribute to developing effective interventions regarding family-centered care, and enhance the overall childbirth experience for women in Jordanian cultural contexts.

Barriers and facilitators of implementing the practice programme for upright positions in the second stage of labour: A mixed-method study.

To explore the possible barriers and facilitators to implementing the Upright Positions in the Second Stage of Labour (UPSSL) programme in Chinese healthcare settings. A mixed-method convergent design with the guidance of Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). An online survey study and semi-structured interviews were conducted between March and May 2023. Healthcare professionals were recruited from four hospitals in Shijiazhuang, China. One hundred and thirty-one participants completed the survey study, and 23 of them were interviewed individually. Descriptive statistics evaluated the possible barriers and facilitators of implementing the UPSSL programme within the CFIR framework quantitatively. Guided by the CFIR framework, qualitative data were analysed using directed content analysis to summarize healthcare professionals' perspectives on barriers and facilitators of the UPSSL programme. Multiple intersectional barriers and facilitators were identified from the survey and semi-interviews. Healthcare professionals believed that the UPSSL programme has a scientific evidence base, systematic contents, and possible benefits for women. However, various barriers existed at individual, system, and organizational levels. Major barriers included healthcare professionals and women's safety concerns towards the use of upright positions during childbirth, the healthcare professionals' unfamiliarity with assisting an upright position birth, poor adaptability of the programme protocol, inadequate facilities and staffing, and a lack of readiness to change in the clinical setting. To facilitate the implementation of the UPSSL programme in China, tailored antenatal education on upright positions, especially addressing safety-related issues, should be provided to pregnant women, their families, or peers to enhance their understanding of and familiarity with such positions. Healthcare professionals should also be offered adequate training opportunities and necessary facilities. Furthermore, national-level policy changes might be required to address midwifery workforce shortages. Additionally, further research is warranted to select, adapt, and test effective implementation strategies for programme adoption. What problem did the study address? The adoption of upright positions during the second stage of labour could promote better maternal and neonatal outcomes and a positive childbirth experience. However, the adoption of upright positions during the second stage of labour is suboptimal in healthcare settings in China. Barriers and facilitators of implementing upright positions during childbirth are unclear. What were the main findings? A range of barriers and facilitators within the CFIR framework to promote upright positions during childbirth from healthcare professionals' perspectives were identified, and the major barriers included safety concerns towards and unfamiliarity with an upright position birth, inadequate facilities and staffing, and a lack of readiness to change in the clinical setting. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? This study will enable a better understanding of the barriers and facilitators to promoting upright positions in the second stage of labour in China. The smooth and effective implementation of the UPSSL programme could help to promote better maternal and neonatal outcomes and improve women's childbirth experiences. The reporting of this study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) and Good Reporting of A Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) guidelines. In this study, healthcare professionals were involved in refining the topic guides and survey questions. Additionally, findings from the interviews were returned to them for comments and corrections.

FRI409 Childbirth Experiences In Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract Disclosure: A.E. Husby: None. M.R. Simpson: None. R. Dalbye: None. E. Vanky: None. T.S. Løvvik: None. Introduction:Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-20% of women. Women with PCOS frequently suffer from metabolic, psychological, and reproductive comorbidities. Pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and preterm birth are more common in PCOS. Metformin has been used in an attempt to improve pregnancy outcomes in PCOS. Childbirth experience is influenced by previous life- and birth experiences, preparedness, fear of childbirth, experiences of pain and control, and the mode and outcome of delivery. A positive childbirth experience may result in improved post-partum functioning and bonding with the newborn. In contrast, a negative childbirth experience is associated with postnatal depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms and difficulties in relating to one’s partner and newborn. To our knowledge, there are no previous studies on women with PCOS and their childbirth experiences. The primary aim of our study is to explore childbirth experiences in women with PCOS compared to a reference population. The secondary aim is to explore whether metformin vs placebo during pregnancy affects the childbirth experiences in women with PCOS. Materials and methods:This study combines data from two RCTs. In the PregMet2 study, women with PCOS in Norway, Sweden and Iceland were randomized to metformin or placebo. Main outcomes were miscarriage and preterm delivery. The Labor Progression Study (LaPS) (reference population) in Norway, compared WHO partograph to the Zhang’s guidelines for progression of labor in women in Robson group 1*. Both studies used the Childbirth Experience Questionaire (CEQ). Total CEQ scores and scores (separately) from the four domains “own capacity”, “perceived safety”, “professional support” and “participation” were compared between a) women with PCOS in the PregMet2 study (n=131) and the reference population, the LaPS study (n=3604) and b) metformin (n=179) and placebo (n=185) groups in the PregMet2 study. Results: There was no difference in total CEQ score between women with PCOS and the reference population. Women with PCOS had a higher domain score for “perceived safety” (p&amp;lt;0,05) and lower score for “own capacity” (p&amp;lt;0,05), compared to the reference population, while there was no difference in the domains “professional support” or “participation”. Total CEQ-score and domain-scores were similar for the metformin compared to placebo groups in the PregMet2 study. Conclusion: Women with PCOS compared to women in the reference population had similar childbirth experiences. However, they reported higher “perceived safety” and lower “own capacity” compared to reference women. Metformin treatment in pregnancy did not influence childbirth experience in women with PCOS. *Nulliparous women with a singleton, term pregnancy, with spontaneous start of labor and cephalic lie (Robson group 1). Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Exploring the Role of Birth Environment on Italian Mothers' Emotional Experience during Childbirth.

The physical environment is one of the factors that affect mother's experience of childbirth and psychological health. A woman's childbirth experience has been found to influence not only the mother's own health and future births but also the well-being of her child and family. The present study's objective was to investigate mothers' perceptions of spatial-physical humanization, affective quality of place, and emotions during childbirth. To achieve this goal, the first part of our work was dedicated to selecting two birth environments (hospital and birth center) with different degrees of humanization. The methods include observations and field survey which mainly concerned the environmental quality of the spaces and the layout of the birth unit, and self-report questionnaire about perceived environment, affective quality attributed to place, and delivery experience. Participants are 66 low-risk women, choosing hospital or birth center. The findings indicate an enhanced perception of both the spatial-physical aspects and the social and functional aspects of the care unit among mothers who give birth at the birth center. These same mothers also report a more positive perception of the childbirth experience. In conclusion, this study contributes to the understanding of the role of birth environments in shaping mothers' emotional experiences during childbirth.

Validation of the person-centered maternity care scale at governmental health facilities in Cambodia.

Women's childbirth experience of interpersonal care is a significant aspect of quality of care. Due to the lack of a reliable Cambodian version of a measurement tool to assess person-centered maternity care, the present study aimed to adapt the "Person-Centered Maternity Care (PCMC) scale" to the Cambodian context and further determine its psychometric properties. The PCMC scale was translated into Khmer using the team translation approach. The Khmer version of PCMC (Kh-PCMC) scale was pretested among 20 Cambodian postpartum women using cognitive interviewing. Subsequently, the Kh-PCMC scale was administered in a survey with 300 Cambodian postpartum women at two governmental health facilities. According to the COnsensus-based Standards for the Selection of health status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) standard, we performed psychometric analysis, including content validity, construct validity, criterion validity, cross-cultural validity, and internal consistency. The preliminary processes of Kh-PCMC scale development including cognitive interviewing and expert review ensured appropriate levels of content validity and acceptable levels of cross-cultural validity of the Kh-PCMC scale with four-point frequency responses. The Scale-level Content Validity Index, Average (S-CVI/Avg) of 30-item Kh-PCMC scale was 0.96. Twenty items, however, performed optimally in the psychometric analysis from the data in Cambodia. The 20-item Kh-PCMC scale produced Cronbach's alpha of 0.86 for the full scale and 0.76-0.91 for the subscales, indicating adequately high internal consistency. Hypothesis testing found positive correlations between the 20-item Kh-PCMC scale and reference measures, which implies acceptable criterion validity. The present study produced the Kh-PCMC scale that enables women's childbirth experiences to be quantitatively measured. The Kh-PCMC scale can identify intrapartum needs from women's perspectives for quality improvement in Cambodia. However, dynamic changes in and diverse differences of cultural context over time across provinces in Cambodia require the Kh-PCMC scale to be regularly reexamined and, when needed, to be further adjusted.

A Simple Awareness For Women About (SAWA) stages of labor on women's childbirth experience using the childbirth roadmap tool: a quasi-experimental study

Introduction: Women's knowledge regarding childbirth progress can increase their comfort and satisfaction during labor. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Simple Awareness for Women About (SAWA) labor stages program on their childbirth experience using the childbirth roadmap tool. Methods: A pretest and posttest technique was employed and conducted at the Labor Department, Woman Health Hospital, affiliated to the Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt. Based on the eligibility criteria, a convenient sampling method was used to recruit all parturient women admitted between June 2017 and August 2017. The sample consisted of 172 participants. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed in the baseline information regarding the stages of childbirth subsequent to the SAWA program implementation. There was a significant relationship between the mode of delivery and the participant's satisfaction with the study tool. Conclusion: This study highlighted the benefits of using a simple, attractively illustrated instrument, the childbirth roadmap, for achieving the meaning of support through the SAWA program during labor stages.

Experiences of childbirth care among immigrant and non-immigrant women: a cross-sectional questionnaire study from a hospital in Norway

BackgroundImmigrant women have higher risks for poor pregnancy outcomes and unsatisfactory birth experiences than the general population. The mechanisms behind these associations remain largely unknown, but they may result from differential care provided to immigrant women or unsatisfactory interactions with health providers. This study aimed to investigate immigrant and non-immigrant women's experiences of health care during childbirth, particularly assessing two dimensions: perceived general quality of care and attainment of health care needs during childbirth.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study carried out over 15 months in 2020 and 2021, and data were collected from a self-completed questionnaire. The labour and birth subscale from the Experience of Maternity Care questionnaire was used to assess the primary outcome of care experiences. A total of 680 women completed the questionnaire approximately within two days after birth (mean 2.1 days) at a hospital in Trondheim, in central Norway. The questionnaire was provided in eight languages.ResultsThe 680 respondents were classified as immigrants (n = 153) and non-immigrants (n = 527). Most women rated their quality of care during childbirth as high (91.5%). However, one-quarter of the women (26.6%) reported unmet health care needs during childbirth. Multiparous immigrant women were more likely than multiparous non-immigrant women to report that their health care needs were unmet during childbirth (OR: 3.31, 95% CI: 1.91–5.72, p < 0.001, aOR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.53–5.18, p = 0.001). No other significant differences between immigrant versus non-immigrant women were found in subjective ratings of childbirth care experiences. Having a Norwegian-born partner and a high level of Norwegian language skills did not influence the immigrant women's experience of childbirth care.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that many women feel they receive high-quality health care during childbirth, but a considerable number still report not having their health care needs met. Also, multiparous immigrant women report significantly more unmet health care needs than non-immigrants. Further research is required to assess immigrant women's childbirth experiences and for health care providers to give optimal care, which may need to be tailored to a woman's cultural background and individual expectations.

Translation and validation of the Swedish version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R)

BackgroundOptimizing women's childbirth experience is essential for development of quality mother infant relationships. The Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) can be used to measure birth satisfaction. AimThe current investigation sought to translate and validate a Swedish version of the BSS-R. MethodFollowing translation, a comprehensive psychometric validation of the Swedish-BSS-R (SW-BSS-R) was carried out using a multi-model, cross-sectional, between- and within-subjects design. ParticipantsA total of 619 Swedish-speaking women participated, from which 591 completed SW-BSS-R and were eligible for analysis. Data analysisDiscriminant, convergent, divergent and predictive validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and factor structure were evaluated. ResultsThe SW-BSS-R was found to have excellent psychometric properties and hence is a valid translation of the original UK(English)-BSS-R. Important insights into relationships between mode of birth, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and postnatal depression (PND) were observed. Conclusions and implications for practiceThe SW-BSS-R is a psychometrically valid translation of the original BSS-R and is suitable for use in a Swedish-speaking population of women. The study has also highlighted important dynamics between birth satisfaction and areas of significant clinical concern (i.e., mode of birth, PTSD and PND) in Sweden.

Are women with preterm labour at risk for negative birth experience? a comparative cross-sectional study from Iran

BackgroundThe unpredictable nature of preterm labour can be a stressful experience for the mother. The occurrence of preterm birth can lead to the failure of the mother's previous expectations regarding the process of labour and birth leading to negative perception towards birth.MethodsThis descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Tabriz, Iran. We employed convenience sampling to recruit eligible mothers with term birth (314 women) and preterm birth (157 women). Childbirth Experience Questionnaire 2.0, Preterm Birth Experiences and Satisfaction Scale, and Delivery Fear Scale were used to measure the woman’s fear of delivery during labour and birth experience. Data were analysed by general linear model.ResultsThe prevalence of negative birth experience in the term and preterm birth groups was 31.8% and 14.3%, respectively. The results of the multivariable general linear model, after the adjustment of demographic and obstetric characteristics, showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups of mothers with term and preterm birth [β (95% CI): -0.06 (-0.22 to 0.09); p = 0.414] in terms of childbirth experience. However, the fear of delivery had a significant relationship with the childbirth experience [-0.02 (-0.03 to -0.01); p < 0.001].ConclusionThere was no statistically significant difference in terms of women’s childbirth experience between the mothers with term and preterm births. The fear of delivery during labour was the predictor of childbirth experience. In order to improve women's childbirth experience, interventions should be made to reduce their fear during labour.

Women's Birth Beliefs During Pregnancy and Postpartum in the Netherlands: A Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study.

Women and care providers increasingly regard childbirth as a medical process, resulting in high use of medical interventions, which could negatively affect a woman's childbirth experience. Women's birth beliefs may be key to understanding the decisions they make and the acceptance of medical interventions in childbirth. In this study we explore women's beliefs about birth as a natural and medical process and the factors that are associated with women's birth beliefs. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of women living in the Netherlands asking them about their experiences during pregnancy and childbirth, including their beliefs about birth as a natural and medical process. A total of 3494 women were included in this study. Mean scores of natural birth beliefs ranged between 3.73 and 4.01 points, and medical birth belief scores ranged between 2.92 and 3.12 points. There were significant but very small changes between prenatal and postnatal birth beliefs. Regression analyses showed that (previous) childbirth experiences were the most consistent predictor of women's birth beliefs. Women's high scores on natural birth beliefs and lower scores on medical birth beliefs correspond with the philosophy of Dutch perinatal care that considers pregnancy and childbirth to be natural processes. Perinatal care providers must be aware of women's birth beliefs and recognize that they as professionals influence women's birth beliefs. They make an important contribution to women's perinatal experiences, which affects both women's natural and medical birth beliefs.

Childbirth experience in women at high risk in facing the delivery process at UGM academic hospital

Background: High-risk pregnancy is a severe threat to the health and life of pregnant women and babies, considering that this can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium. About 20 million women worldwide have high-risk pregnancies, and it is known that more than 800 die each day. Pregnant women have potential risks during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium. The mother's lack of knowledge about pregnancy health problems and health service providers can increase inappropriate handling risk by health workers. So, women should understand the concept of high-risk pregnancies to reduce these risks. Research Objectives: To determine the childbirth experiences in mothers at high risk in the delivery process at UGM Academic Hospital. Method: Qualitative Research with Descriptive-Narrative Design. Results: The mothers knew the risks of pregnancy, but they were less aware of the risks of other pregnancies. Mothers’ experience in choosing a place of delivery was influenced by personal experiences, family, friends, or other people. The availability of adequate hospital facilities, service flow, and ownership of insurance coverage were also other factors in choosing a maternity hospital. Conclusion: Mothers are aware of the risks of pregnancy, but they are less aware of other pregnancy risks. Suggestion: Mothers should be aware of the risks of pregnancy and need to learn more about other pregnancy risks. It is hoped that they will be better prepared if a high-risk pregnancy occurs.

Cultural adaptation of the person-centered maternity care scale at governmental health facilities in Cambodia.

In Cambodia, the importance of valuing women's childbirth experiences in improving quality of care has been understudied. This is largely because of absence of reliable Khmer tools for measuring women's intrapartum care experiences. Generally, cross-cultural development of those tools often involves translation from a source language into a target language. Yet, few earlier studies considered Cambodian cultural context. Thus, we developed the Cambodian version of the Person-Centered Maternity Care (PCMC) scale, by culturally adapting its original to Cambodian context for ensuring cultural equivalence and content validity. Three rounds of cognitive interviewing with 20 early postpartum women were conducted at two governmental health facilities in Cambodia. Cognitive interviewing was composed of structured questionnaire pretesting and qualitative probing. The issues identified in the process of transcribing and translating audio-recorded cognitive interviews were iteratively discussed among study team members, and further analyzed. A total of 14 issues related to cultural adaptations were identified in the 31 translated questions for the Cambodian version of the PCMC scale. Our study identified three key findings: (i) discrepancies between the WHO recommendations on intrapartum care and Cambodian field realities; (ii) discrepancies in recognition on PCMC between national experts and local women; and (iii) challenges in correctly collecting and interpreting less-educated women's views on intrapartum care. Not only women's verbal data but also their non-verbal data and cultural contexts should be comprehensively counted, when reflecting Cambodian women's intrapartum practice realities in the translated version. This is the first study that attempted to develop the tool for measuring Cambodian women's experiences during childbirth, by addressing cross-cultural issues.

Childbirth experiences for women in a Kenyan county referral hospital

Background/Aims A woman's experience of childbirth can be positive or negative, although pregnant women have the right to a positive experience. A woman's experience should be fulfilling, and meet expectations that may be informed by personal and sociocultural beliefs. This study aimed to explore women's childbirth experiences at a county referral hospital. Methods This study used a transcendental phenomenological design. A total of 11 postnatal women were recruited until data saturation was achieved. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and responses were recorded. Data were transcribed and manually coded, and major themes and sub-themes were identified using thematic analysis. Results Women reported unbearable and traumatic labour pain with little intervention from caregivers. The majority of women had friendly and caring midwives as well as a clean and spacious postnatal ward. This experience shaped their courage, self-belief and the desire for a subsequent pregnancy and birth. Conclusions Generally, most women had a positive and satisfying childbirth experience despite labour pains. To ensure an optimally positive childbirth experience for all women, there is a need to promote privacy, comfort and respectful maternity care while offering alternative labour pain management.

Insights into women's experiences of giving birth during the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic in Jordan, a cross-sectional survey.

Since 2019, the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic and its consequences from restrictions to risks have impacted our lives in all aspects. Pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the changes that were implemented as a result of the shift in healthcare priorities and the medical and social implications of the lockdown. This study aimed to assess the experience of giving birth during the pandemic, how this is affected by acquiring coronavirus disease-19 infection, and its effect on postnatal mood. A cross-sectional study was conducted which involved 490 women who gave birth during the pandemic across the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. An electronic questionnaire was distributed among women experiencing childbirth during this period in Jordan by advertising it on social media platforms targeting pregnant women and mothers. The sample size was statistically determined to be representative of the population. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows v.27. The study demonstrated that getting infected with the virus throughout the pregnancy did not affect the childbirth experience with respect to the parameters measured, but other factors during the pandemic such as the type of hospital and mode of delivery did. Positive interaction with staff in the delivery suite was a major determinant of a positive birth experience. Women associated low mood post-delivery with giving birth in pandemic circumstances, and it affected first-time mothers more than multiparous women. Although the acquisition of coronavirus disease-19 infection did not have a significant impact on women's childbirth experience, several pandemic-related factors did. Given the importance of a woman's perception and evaluation of events surrounding her birth experience in determining her postnatal physical and psychological well-being, having to give birth during the pandemic circumstances, especially for first-time mothers, can have potentially detrimental consequences that may affect her health and reproductive choices in the future. The results of this study offer a better understanding of the effect of pandemic and lockdown circumstances on the perceived experience of mothers during childbirth and postnatally and factors that should be taken into consideration when planning healthcare provision to this population in future similar conditions.

Women's Childbirth Experiences During COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia.

Explore in depth the experiences of women giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. Qualitative research with a descriptive phenomenological. A total of 16 participants did not suffer from COVID-19 and gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic in the community setting area. There are five themes: 1: Feelings of anxiety and fear of giving birth in hospitals are experienced by women giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2. Screening for COVID and health protocols applied in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, 3. Support from husbands, families, and health workers is needed when giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic, 4. Lack of family visits hours is an obstacle during childbirth, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 5: Bonding attachment between mother and baby while at the hospital. Optimal maternity nursing care and supporting health facilities and public policies will help mothers give birth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia.