Nora K Schaal1, Tanja Fehm2, Josefine Albert3, Martin Heil3, Anya Pedersen4, Markus Fleisch5, Philip Hepp5. 1. Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany. nora.schaal@hhu.de. 2. Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany. 3. Department of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany. 4. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany. 5. Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, HELIOS University Hospital Wuppertal, University Witten/Herdecke, Wuppertal, Germany.
Abstract
PURPOSE: In developed countries, around 25% of all births involve labour induction. Studies have indicated that labour induction negatively influences the birth experience as well as the birth process. However, the impact of labour induction when only considering vaginal deliveries has not been studied yet, which was the purpose of the present study. METHODS: 186 women who gave birth vaginally took part in this prospective study. 95 women gave birth after spontaneous onset of labour (SL-group) and 91 women received a labour induction (LI-group). Eight to 72 h after birth, the women filled in the revised version of the standardised Childbirth Experience Questionnaire, which examines the birth experience in four dimensions (Own Capacity, Perceived Safety, Participation and Professional Support). Medical details regarding birth and fetal outcomes were taken from the medical records. RESULTS: Birth outcomes (the number of epidural anaesthesia, the duration of birth, birth risks and childbirth injuries) as well as fetal outcomes (APGAR after 1 and 5 min and arterial cord pH) did not differ between the groups. Regarding the subjective birth experience, the LI-group indicated significantly lower values for Perceived Safety and Participation compared to the SL-group, while there were no differences for the dimensions Own Capacity and Professional Support. DISCUSSION: Successful labour induction resulting in a vaginal birth did not negatively influence birth and fetal outcomes and only partly affected the women's birth experience. The negative impact of labour induction on the dimensions Perceived Safety and Participation should sensitize midwives in order to provide optimal support.
PURPOSE: In developed countries, around 25% of all births involve labour induction. Studies have indicated that labour induction negatively influences the birth experience as well as the birth process. However, the impact of labour induction when only considering vaginal deliveries has not been studied yet, which was the purpose of the present study. METHODS: 186 women who gave birth vaginally took part in this prospective study. 95 women gave birth after spontaneous onset of labour (SL-group) and 91 women received a labour induction (LI-group). Eight to 72 h after birth, the women filled in the revised version of the standardised Childbirth Experience Questionnaire, which examines the birth experience in four dimensions (Own Capacity, Perceived Safety, Participation and Professional Support). Medical details regarding birth and fetal outcomes were taken from the medical records. RESULTS: Birth outcomes (the number of epidural anaesthesia, the duration of birth, birth risks and childbirth injuries) as well as fetal outcomes (APGAR after 1 and 5 min and arterial cord pH) did not differ between the groups. Regarding the subjective birth experience, the LI-group indicated significantly lower values for Perceived Safety and Participation compared to the SL-group, while there were no differences for the dimensions Own Capacity and Professional Support. DISCUSSION: Successful labour induction resulting in a vaginal birth did not negatively influence birth and fetal outcomes and only partly affected the women's birth experience. The negative impact of labour induction on the dimensions Perceived Safety and Participation should sensitize midwives in order to provide optimal support.
Entities:
Keywords:
Birth experience; Birth process; Labour induction; Vaginal deliveries
Authors: Johanna M Joensuu; Hannu Saarijärvi; Hanna Rouhe; Mika Gissler; Veli-Matti Ulander; Seppo Heinonen; Paulus Torkki; Tomi S Mikkola Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2022-06-23 Impact factor: 3.105