Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, RN, EdD
Why is a satisfying childbirth experience important?
* One reason a satisfying childbirth experience is important is because it's associated with positive health for both you and your infant. Childbirth is the first and probably the most powerful bonding experience between the two of you.
*Another reason is that the satisfaction you feel during childbirth can greatly affect your future relationship with your child.
*A satisfying childbirth experience can also empower you! Having a sense of control over what happens to you is an important factor in your satisfaction.
What does the research show about satisfying childbirth?
*A recent study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing suggests that your sense of personal control during labor, or your perception of how well you manage your performance, and having your expectations met are the most important factors in your satisfaction during childbirth.
*Part of your satisfaction depends on choosing health care providers who are supportive and who help you achieve your goals for childbirth, say the researchers.
*No matter whether you're white or African-American, no matter if you're 18 or 46 (or any age in between), married or single, or what your education, if you have a low-risk pregnancy and vaginal delivery of a healthy full-term infant, these findings apply to you.
*Women whose expectations about labor were borne out in reality had higher overall satisfaction scores. This hints that learning the most you can about childbirth will put you in the best position for a satisfying experience.
*Pain during labor and delivery did not predict satisfaction, although on average, the 60 women who participated in the study, considered their labor pain moderate.
*Women who had attended childbirth preparation classes had higher overall satisfaction scores than those who did not. The researchers think this is because having a partner who is involved and supportive during the childbirth experience is very important. But childbirth classes can also teach you labor management techniques and help you acquire realistic expectations for the childbirth experience. All-in-all, childbirth classes are the preferred way to attain a satisfying childbirth experience.
What can be learned from this study?
The researchers concluded that health care providers should discuss their expectations about labor and delivery throughout pregnancy and, when the time comes, reassure women if unforeseen circumstances arise.
* Who you choose for your lead health care providers is up to you. Be assertive, start as soon as you know you're pregnant, and ask a number of physicians or midwives whether they...
- plan to discuss your expectations for childbirth with you and what type of questions they're apt to ask
- support the use of childbirth preparation classes
- have a plan of how to reassure you if unforeseen circumstances arise.
* If your health care provider balks when you share this information and ask questions, perhaps you need to find a person who listens to you. Remember, it's your body, your child, and your childbirth experience! Make the most of it for both you and your child and for your future relationship.
Source:
Goodman, F., Mackey, MC, Tavakoli, AS. Factors related to childbirth satisfaction. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2004, volume 46, pp. 212-219.
This article is for information purposes only. For treatment, consult your health care provider.
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