The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ2) was utilized to examine the impact of medical interventions on personal birth experiences. Overall, the experiences were rated favorably.
In a recent study conducted by researchers from the universities of Cologne and Düsseldorf, alongside University Hospital Bonn, mothers throughout Germany were surveyed about their perceptions of ‘own capacity’, ‘professional support’, ‘perceived safety’, and ‘participation’ during their childbirth experience, eight to twelve months postpartum. The highest satisfaction ratings in all four categories were noted for vaginal births without medical interventions. Overall, the women assessed their birthing experiences positively, scoring an average of 3.09 out of a possible 4 points. Conversely, those who experienced obstetric interventions reported markedly lower satisfaction levels. Five percent of the participants indicated that their overall childbirth experience was negative. This study, titled ‘Obstetric interventions’ effects on the birthing experience’, has been published in the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.
Despite the social importance of this issue and its relevance to the women involved, only a limited number of scientific investigations in Germany address obstetric care in hospitals and the concerns regarding ‘women facing violence during childbirth’. This study is based on responses from 852 mothers and is part of the MAM-Care project, which focuses on the needs, participation, and safety in obstetric care across Germany.
“Since women show greater dissatisfaction with their childbirth experience when they undergo obstetric interventions, factors such as empowerment and effective collaboration between the obstetric team and birthing individuals are crucial,” stated the principal investigator, Professor Dr. Nadine Scholten, who conducted the research at the Institute for Medical Sociology, Health Services Research and Rehabilitation Science (IMVR) at the University of Cologne. She currently holds a position as a professor for psychosomatic and psycho-oncological health services research at the University of Bonn and leads the Research Centre for Health Communication and Health Services Research at Bonn University Hospital.
Obstetric interventions encompass practices such as fundal pressure (pressure applied to the abdomen), unplanned cesarean sections, episiotomies, and assisted vaginal deliveries (involving vacuum extraction or forceps). Unplanned cesarean sections received the lowest scores for ‘own capacity’ and ‘perceived safety’; assisted vaginal deliveries ranked lower than unplanned cesarean sections in terms of ‘professional support’ and ‘participation’. Generally, women who experienced an unplanned cesarean section or assisted vaginal delivery rated their ‘own capacity’ less favorably compared to those who underwent fundal pressure or an episiotomy.
However, the researchers also discovered that negative experiences in one area of the questionnaire could be balanced out by positive experiences in another. According to the authors, this underscores the significance of support and active participation. “Fostering self-efficacy, establishing connections, providing support, and reducing fears can enhance the childbirth experience even in the presence of interventions,” emphasized Anna Volkert, the study’s first author.
The researchers assert that further studies are required to explore the unexplained differences in birthing experiences, particularly regarding the roles of empowerment and support. They recommend that strategies be developed collaboratively with obstetric teams to reduce negative experiences during necessary obstetric interventions.
