title: The effects of birth chair delivery on maternal perceptions.
abstract: A prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted to determine women's perceptions of their childbirth experiences using a birth chair. The sample consisted of 55 primiparas, from 37 to 41 gestational weeks, with normal pregnancy and labor; 22 women delivered on a traditional delivery table (DT), and 33 women used a birth chair (BC). A questionnaire consisting of 21 items on a five-point scale (the higher the score, the more positive the perception) was self-administered by subjects during postpartum hospitalization. No significant differences were found between groups on overall score. However, women using the birth chair had a significantly higher score on the comfort subscale, as did women who had attended prepared childbirth classes.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Florida State University, Tallahassee.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shannahan
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Cottrell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology*; D010358:Patient Participation; D011187:Posture; D011247:Pregnancy