title: The Development and Psychometric Analysis of the Women's Experience in Childbirth Survey.
abstract: A woman's perception of the childbirth experience has not been adequately measured. The purpose of the Women's Experience in Childbirth Survey (WECS) is to provide a comprehensive measure of the experience for women having a vaginal birth.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional design with 302 postpartum women analyzed the psychometric properties of the WECS. Validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis and correlation to a self-rating of the overall experience.
  
  
  
  Exploratory factor analysis identified four subscales consistent with the organizing framework. WECS scores and self-rated experience were significantly correlated r = .51, p < .01. Internal consistency α = .86 and temporal stability (r = .88, p < .001) are adequate.
  
  
  
  Initial analysis indicates sufficient reliability and validity for further development and testing.
authors.affiliation: Shepherd University.
authors.forename: Elizabeth Viens
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Rini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires