AIMS: The study investigated factors related to the expectations and wishes concerning delivery of expectant parents. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire on the relevant aspects of delivery was developed, pre-tested, and administered to 545 expectant mothers (n = 336) and fathers (n = 209) attending open house informational events at 3 hospitals around Giessen, Germany. RESULTS: Response rate was 96.3%. Three major areas of interest were identified and converted into scales: "management and obstetrical equipment" (ME; alpha = 0.81), "medical standards" (MS; alpha = 0.82), and "hospital conveniences" (HC; alpha = 0.78). Preferences of participants were influenced by age, gender and parity, as well as by different levels of state- and trait-anxiety. Expectant fathers focused more on HC of the hospital whereas ME, as well as MS, were more important to pregnant women, especially older women from rural areas with high state and/or trait anxiety (p < or = 0.05). However, MS were also found to be important for younger, nulliparous women with at risk pregnancy. Parents of high-risk pregnancies did not emphasize their wishes for ME (p < or = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Fashionable obstetrical equipment of delivery rooms, high medical standards, the reputation of the hospital, and certain conveniences are important issues for expectant parents. However, their importance varies with the above mentioned factors.
AIMS: The study investigated factors related to the expectations and wishes concerning delivery of expectant parents. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire on the relevant aspects of delivery was developed, pre-tested, and administered to 545 expectant mothers (n = 336) and fathers (n = 209) attending open house informational events at 3 hospitals around Giessen, Germany. RESULTS: Response rate was 96.3%. Three major areas of interest were identified and converted into scales: "management and obstetrical equipment" (ME; alpha = 0.81), "medical standards" (MS; alpha = 0.82), and "hospital conveniences" (HC; alpha = 0.78). Preferences of participants were influenced by age, gender and parity, as well as by different levels of state- and trait-anxiety. Expectant fathers focused more on HC of the hospital whereas ME, as well as MS, were more important to pregnant women, especially older women from rural areas with high state and/or trait anxiety (p < or = 0.05). However, MS were also found to be important for younger, nulliparous women with at risk pregnancy. Parents of high-risk pregnancies did not emphasize their wishes for ME (p < or = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Fashionable obstetrical equipment of delivery rooms, high medical standards, the reputation of the hospital, and certain conveniences are important issues for expectant parents. However, their importance varies with the above mentioned factors.