Simona Fumagalli1, Elisabetta Colciago2, Laura Antolini2, Alice Riva3, Antonella Nespoli4, Anna Locatelli5. 1. School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy. Electronic address: simona.fumagalli@unimib.it. 2. School of Medicine and Surgery, Center of Biostatistics for Clinical Epidemiology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy. 3. Fondazione MBBM, Italy. 4. School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy. 5. School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy; Unit for Mother and Child, Carate Brianza Hospital, ASST Vimercate, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The experience of labour and birth is complex, multidimensional and subjective and has the potential to affect the women and their families physically and emotionally. However, there is a lack of research around maternal satisfaction in Italy. AIM: To evaluate mothers' satisfaction with their childbirth experience in relation to socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric history and intrapartum care variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 277 women who had given birth in a low risk maternity unit in Northern Italy was undertaken. Satisfaction with birth was measured using the Italian version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (I-BSS-R). The scale comprises three Sub-Scales: quality of care provided, personal attributes of women and stress experienced during childbirth. FINDINGS: No socio-demographic variables were related to maternal satisfaction. Multiparous women had a higher satisfaction score (p=0.020; CI:0.23;2.75). Antenatal class attendance was negatively associated with maternal satisfaction (p=0.038; CI:-2.58; -0.07). Intrapartum variables that significantly reduced maternal satisfaction were: epidural usage (p=0.000; CI:-4.66; -2.07), active phase >12h (p=0.000; CI:-6.01; -2.63), oxytocin administration (p=0.000; CI:-5.08; -2.29) and vacuum assisted birth (p=0.001; CI:-6.50; -1.58). Women with an intact perineum were more likely to be satisfied (p=0.008; CI:-4.60; -0.69). DISCUSSION: In accordance with other research, we showed that intrapartum interventions are negatively associated with maternal outcomes and therefore also with maternal satisfaction with birth. The sub-scale that measured Quality of Care provided scored higher than the other two Sub-Scales. CONCLUSION: Further studies on maternal satisfaction in Italy should be conducted, using the I-BSS-R with the aim to compare outcomes and understand what matters to women during childbirth.
BACKGROUND: The experience of labour and birth is complex, multidimensional and subjective and has the potential to affect the women and their families physically and emotionally. However, there is a lack of research around maternal satisfaction in Italy. AIM: To evaluate mothers' satisfaction with their childbirth experience in relation to socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric history and intrapartum care variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 277 women who had given birth in a low risk maternity unit in Northern Italy was undertaken. Satisfaction with birth was measured using the Italian version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (I-BSS-R). The scale comprises three Sub-Scales: quality of care provided, personal attributes of women and stress experienced during childbirth. FINDINGS: No socio-demographic variables were related to maternal satisfaction. Multiparous women had a higher satisfaction score (p=0.020; CI:0.23;2.75). Antenatal class attendance was negatively associated with maternal satisfaction (p=0.038; CI:-2.58; -0.07). Intrapartum variables that significantly reduced maternal satisfaction were: epidural usage (p=0.000; CI:-4.66; -2.07), active phase >12h (p=0.000; CI:-6.01; -2.63), oxytocin administration (p=0.000; CI:-5.08; -2.29) and vacuum assisted birth (p=0.001; CI:-6.50; -1.58). Women with an intact perineum were more likely to be satisfied (p=0.008; CI:-4.60; -0.69). DISCUSSION: In accordance with other research, we showed that intrapartum interventions are negatively associated with maternal outcomes and therefore also with maternal satisfaction with birth. The sub-scale that measured Quality of Care provided scored higher than the other two Sub-Scales. CONCLUSION: Further studies on maternal satisfaction in Italy should be conducted, using the I-BSS-R with the aim to compare outcomes and understand what matters to women during childbirth.
Authors: Sukhjeet Bains; Johanne Sundby; Benedikte V Lindskog; Siri Vangen; Lien M Diep; Katrine M Owe; Ingvil K Sorbye Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-07-16 Impact factor: 2.692