Obstetric technology and maternal emotional well-being: A further research note

Abstract

Over the last ten years a number of studies have examined the relationship between aspects of the medical management of labour and delivery and maternal emotional state. The findings of these studies are contradictory: while some report links between the use of obstetric technology and subsequent negative maternal emotional state, others find no such associations. Data from a study of social support in pregnancy are drawn on to re-examine the hypothesis that maternal postnatal unhappiness is linked with the use of technology in childbirth. Utilizing data from two postal questionnaires sent to mothers six weeks and one year postpartum, and also hospital obstetric casenote information, significant associations are found between overall ‘scores’ of obstetric technology, on the one hand, and, on the other, some measures of control and emotional and physical well-being reported by mothers. Other measures of emotional well-being, particularly those reporting feelings for the baby, do not appear to be linked with obstetric technology scores.