First-time mothers' satisfaction with their birth experience – a cross-sectional study. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johansson, Christel; Finnbogadóttir, Hafrún
• Is Part Of: Midwifery. Volume 79(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Birth experience -- Childbirth -- Measurement -- Patient satisfaction -- Risk factors -- Visual Analog Scale; Midwifery -- Periodicals; Midwifery -- Periodicals; Sages-femmes -- Périodiques; Midwifery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.2005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2019.102540
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-6138

Abstract

Highlights: One out of ten women reported a negative birth experience. OASI and oxytocin augmentation are associated with a negative birth experience. If VAS is an instrument that scores birth experience requires further investigation. Abstract: Objective: To explore first-time mothers´ satisfaction with their birth experience using Visual Analog Scale and to identify possible risk factors for a negative birth experience. Design: A cross-sectional design using retrospective data collection from electronic medical files. Setting: A birthing center in southern Sweden, which has approximately 1400 births annually. Participants: Primiparous women ( N = 584) who gave birth during 2017. The cut-off point for a negative birth experience was set as ≤ 4 on the Visual Analog Scale. Measurements and findings: The mean age of the women was 29 years (SD 5.1; range 16–47 years). Prevalence of a negative birth experience was 9.6%. The strongest risk factors for a negative birth experience were having obstetric anal sphincter injuries (AOR 2.8 CI 95% 1.1–7.2) and oxytocin augmentation started in the first stage of labor (AOR 2.2 CI 95% 1.1–4.4). Key conclusions: Women who had their labours augmented with oxytocin or sustained an anal sphincter injury were statistically significantly more likely to have a negative birth experience. However, it is uncertain whether the women scored pain experience or birth experience when they reported their satisfaction on the Visual Analog Scale; further investigation is required. Implications for practice: It is important to use a reliable and validated instrument to measure birth experience in order to promote respectful and supportive care for new mothers.