title: Validation of Canadian mothers' recall of events in labour and delivery with electronic health records.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maternal report of events that occur during labour and delivery are used extensively in epidemiological research; however, the validity of these data are rarely confirmed. This study aimed to validate maternal self-report of events that occurred in labour and delivery with data found in electronic health records in a Canadian setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the All Our Babies study, a prospective community-based cohort of women's experiences during pregnancy, were linked to electronic health records to assess the validity of maternal recall at four months post-partum of events that occurred during labour and delivery. Sensitivity, specificity and kappa scores were calculated. Results were stratified by maternal age, gravidity and educational attainment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maternal recall at four months post-partum was excellent for infant characteristics (gender, birth weight, gestational age, multiple births) and variables related to labour and delivery (mode of delivery, epidural, labour induction) (sensitivity and specificity >85%). Women who had completed a university degree had significantly better recall of labour induction and use of an epidural.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal recall of infant characteristics and events that occurred during labour and delivery is excellent at four months post-partum and is a valid source of information for research purposes.
authors: Department of Paediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Uilst
authors: U
authors: Bat-Erdene
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Metcalfe
authors: Sheila W
authors: SW
authors: McDonald
authors: Suzanne C
authors: SC
authors: Tough
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D015331:Cohort Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011939:Mental Recall; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires