Predictors of women's perceptions of the childbirth experience.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the factors that predict women's perceptions of the childbirth experience and to examine whether these vary with the type of birth a woman experiences.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
The postpartum units of two eastern Canadian hospitals.


METHODS
Six hundred fifty two women and their newborns.


METHODS
Data were collected in hospital at 12 to 48 hours postpartum using self-report questionnaires and chart review.


METHODS
Perception of the childbirth experience was measured for women having a vaginal and emergency cesarean birth using the Questionnaire Measuring Attitudes About Labor and Delivery and planned cesarean birth using the Modified Questionnaire Measuring Attitudes About Labor and Delivery.


RESULTS
Of the 20 predictors of women's childbirth perceptions, the strongest were type of birth; degree of awareness, relaxation, and control; helpfulness of partner support; and being together with the infant following birth.


CONCLUSIONS
Of the predictors of a quality birth experience, most were amenable to nursing interventions: enhancement of patient awareness, relaxation, and control; promotion of partner support; and provision of immediate opportunities for women to be with their babies.
Bryanton
Janet
J
School of Nursing at the University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. jbryanton@upei.ca
Gagnon
Anita J
AJ
Johnston
Celeste
C
Hatem
Marie
M
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D036801:Parturition; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011325:Prince Edward Island; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires