Factors related to a positive childbirth experience – a cross-sectional study

Figures & data

Table 1. Demographic data and clinical factors.

	n (valid %)	Mean ± SD
Age, years,		32.8 ± 4.5
Parity
Primiparous	336 (54.3)
Multiparous	283 (45.7)
Relationship status
Married or living with a partner	599 (97.1)
In a relationship but not co-living Single/Separated/Divorced/Other	2 (0.3) 16 (2.6)
Educational level
Primary school/No education	8 (1.3)
Secondary school Higher education	113 (18.4) 494 (80.3)
Living in country of birth
Yes	537 (87.2)
No	79 (12.8)
Mode of birth Vaginal birth without vacuum extraction Assisted vaginal birth with vacuum extraction Emergency caesarean Elective caesarean	458 (74.0) 48 (7.8) 71 (11.5) 42 (6.8)
Birth companion present during childbirth
Partner/Friend/Relative	612 (98.9)
Other No birth companion present	1 (0.2) 6 (1.0)
Rated support from birth companion
None at all	4 (0.7)
A little	16 (2.6)
A moderate amount	53 (8.7)
A lot	152 (24.6)
A great deal	387 (63.2)
Maternal complications
Yes, minor Yes, major	181 (29.3) 59 (9.5)
No	378 (61.2)
Infant complications
Yes, minor	61 (9.9)
Yes, major No	21 (3.4) 534 (86.7)
Ongoing mental health problem
Yes	67 (10.8)
No Don’t know	515 (83.2) 37 (6.0)
Received professional support or treatment for mental health problems
Yes, currently	48 (7.8)
Yes, previously No	182 (29.5) 260 (42.0)
Not applicable	127 (20.5)
Previous traumatic childbirth experience among multiparas
Yes	108 (38.2)
No	175 (61.8)

Figure 1. The mean average score and standard deviation for the total childbirth experience score, and the scoring on the childbirth experience subscales among the total study participants (n = 619).

Bar chart showing scores on total CEQ2 and subscales. The subscales ‘Professional support’ and ‘Participation’ have the highest scores, while the subscale ‘Own capacity’ has the lowest.

Table 2. Regression coefficients (β) and p-values for the univariate regression analysis between each determinant, the total childbirth experience score, and the scoring on the childbirth experience subscales.

	Total Score		Own Capacity		Perceived Safety		Professional Support		Participation
	(β)	p-value	(β)	p-value	(β)	p-value	(β)	p-value	(β)	p-value
Vaginal birth without vacuum extraction	0.423	<0.001	0.522	<0.001	0.639	<0.001	0.332	<0.001	0.411	<0.001
No maternal complications	0.305	<0.001	0.300	<0.001	0.470	<0.001	0.247	<0.001	0.304	<0.001
No infant complications	0.274	<0.001	0.263	<0.001	0.468	<0.001	0.169	.037	0.205	.010
Birth companion present	−0.058	ns	−0.120	ns	0.248	ns	−0.066	ns	−0.040	ns
Supportive birth companion	0.277	<0.001	0.310	<0.001	0.355	<0.001	0.271	.001	0.144	.042
No current mental health problems	0.308	<0.001	0.374	<0.001	0.315	<0.001	0.319	<0.001	0.266	.001
Living in country of birth	0.101	ns	0.129	ns	0.166	ns	0.017	ns	0.035	ns
Higher education	−0.008	ns	−0.012	ns	−0.066	ns	−0.009	ns	−0.064	ns
Married/co-living	−0.29	ns	−0.081	ns	0.001	ns	−0.026	ns	−0.065	ns
Multiparity	0.078	ns	0.225	<0.001	0.126	.034	−0.013	ns	0.051	ns
No previous traumatic birth experience	0.180	.006	0.272	<0.001	0.278	<0.010	0.030	ns	0.095	ns

ns = not significant

Table 3. Regression coefficients (β) and p-values for the multivariate regression analysis between each significant determinant in the univariate analysis, the total childbirth experience score, and the scoring on the childbirth experience subscales.

	Total Score		Own Capacity		Perceived Safety		Professional Support		Participation
	(β)	p-value	(β)	p-value	(β)	p-value	(β)	p-value	(β)	p-value
Vaginal birth without vacuum extraction	0.261	.007	0.303	.007	0.470	<0.001	0.276	<0.001	0.330	<0.001
No maternal complications	0.215	.001	0.191	.012	0.287	<0.001	0.200	<0.001	0.246	<0.001
No infant complications	0.046	ns	0.106	ns	0.139	ns	0.024	ns	0.020	ns
Supportive birth companion	0.187	.022	0.202	.031	0.233	.024	0.311	<0.001	0.172	.039
No current mental health problems	0.261	.003	0.299	.004	0.195	ns	0.246	.003	0.219	.008
Multiparity	-	-	0.202	.032	0.051	ns	–	–	–	–
No previous traumatic birth experience	0.048	ns	0.157	.025	0.103	ns	–	–	–	–

ns = not significant

Data availability statement

Data is not available due to ethical reasons.