Ingegerd Hildingsson1, Annika Karlström2, Birgitta Larsson3. 1. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Nursing, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden. Electronic address: ingegerd.hildingsson@kbh.uu.se. 2. Department of Nursing, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden. 3. Department of Nursing, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden; Sophiahemmet University College, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Continuity models of care are rare in Sweden, despite the evidence of their benefit to women and babies. Previous studies have shown certain factors are associated with a positive birth experience, including continuity of midwifery care. AIM: The aim was to investigate women's childbirth experiences in relation to background data, birth outcome and continuity with a known midwife, in a rural area of Sweden. METHODS: An experimental cohort study. Participating women were offered continuity of midwifery care in pregnancy and birth, during selected time periods. Data were collected in mid-pregnancy and two months after birth. The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire was used to determine women's birth experiences. RESULT: A total of 226 women responded to the follow-up questionnaire. Not living with a partner, fear of giving birth, and a birth preference other than vaginal were associated with a less positive birth experience. Having had a vaginal birth with no epidural, no augmentation and no birth complication all yield a better birth experience. Women who had had a known midwife were more likely to have had a positive birth experience overall, predominantly in the domain Professional support. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that women who received care from a known midwife in labour were more likely to have a positive birth experience. The results also pointed out the benefits of a less medicalized birth as important for a good birth experience, and that some women may need extra support to avoid a less positive birth experience.
BACKGROUND: Continuity models of care are rare in Sweden, despite the evidence of their benefit to women and babies. Previous studies have shown certain factors are associated with a positive birth experience, including continuity of midwifery care. AIM: The aim was to investigate women's childbirth experiences in relation to background data, birth outcome and continuity with a known midwife, in a rural area of Sweden. METHODS: An experimental cohort study. Participating women were offered continuity of midwifery care in pregnancy and birth, during selected time periods. Data were collected in mid-pregnancy and two months after birth. The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire was used to determine women's birth experiences. RESULT: A total of 226 women responded to the follow-up questionnaire. Not living with a partner, fear of giving birth, and a birth preference other than vaginal were associated with a less positive birth experience. Having had a vaginal birth with no epidural, no augmentation and no birth complication all yield a better birth experience. Women who had had a known midwife were more likely to have had a positive birth experience overall, predominantly in the domain Professional support. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that women who received care from a known midwife in labour were more likely to have a positive birth experience. The results also pointed out the benefits of a less medicalized birth as important for a good birth experience, and that some women may need extra support to avoid a less positive birth experience.
Authors: Kris Y W Lok; Heidi S L Fan; Rachel W T Ko; Jojo Y Y Kwok; Janet Y H Wong; Daniel Y T Fong; Noel W M Shek; Hextan Y S Ngan; Edmond P H Choi Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2022-02-15 Impact factor: 3.007