Shiva Havizari1, Solmaz Ghanbari-Homaie2, Ommlbanin Eyvazzadeh2, Mojgan Mirghafourvand3. 1. Midwifery Counseling, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Student Research Center, Tabriz, Iran. 2. Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 3. Midwifery Department, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Childbirth experience is shaped by the labor and delivery process. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between childbirth experience, subsequent postpartum maternal functioning and mental health. METHODS: A total of 483 mothers in the first 4-16 weeks postpartum participated in this cross-sectional study. The cluster random sampling method was used to select the participants. The Questionnaire for Assessing the Childbirth Experience, Mental Health Inventory, and the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning were completed through interviews. RESULTS: The mean childbirth experience, mental health, and maternal functioning scores were 1.6 (0.4), 79.1 (15.0), and 97.4 (13.0), respectively. There was a significant correlation between the total mental health and maternal functioning scores and all its subscales with childbirth experience scores (P<0.001). Results from the general linear model pointed to a significant correlation between maternal functioning and childbirth experience (P<0.001), as well as between receiving support for infant care (P<0.001) and family income adequacy (P=0.006). Mental health was also significantly correlated with childbirth experience (P<0.001), complete life satisfaction (P<0.001), and receiving support for infant care (P=0.025). CONCLUSION: Supportive care provision services may improve mothers' birth experiences, which leads to enhanced postpartum maternal functioning and mental health.
INTRODUCTION: Childbirth experience is shaped by the labor and delivery process. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between childbirth experience, subsequent postpartum maternal functioning and mental health. METHODS: A total of 483 mothers in the first 4-16 weeks postpartum participated in this cross-sectional study. The cluster random sampling method was used to select the participants. The Questionnaire for Assessing the Childbirth Experience, Mental Health Inventory, and the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning were completed through interviews. RESULTS: The mean childbirth experience, mental health, and maternal functioning scores were 1.6 (0.4), 79.1 (15.0), and 97.4 (13.0), respectively. There was a significant correlation between the total mental health and maternal functioning scores and all its subscales with childbirth experience scores (P<0.001). Results from the general linear model pointed to a significant correlation between maternal functioning and childbirth experience (P<0.001), as well as between receiving support for infant care (P<0.001) and family income adequacy (P=0.006). Mental health was also significantly correlated with childbirth experience (P<0.001), complete life satisfaction (P<0.001), and receiving support for infant care (P=0.025). CONCLUSION: Supportive care provision services may improve mothers' birth experiences, which leads to enhanced postpartum maternal functioning and mental health.
Entities:
Keywords:
Birth experience; maternal functioning; mental health