Evaluation the experiences of Iranian women of care during labor and physiological childbirth: Mixed Method Study

Abstract

AbstractBackground: Childbirth is considered as a natural and physiological process that has an important effect on the health of mother and newborn. The objective of this study was to investigate the experiences of Iranian women of care during labor and physiological childbirth.Methods: The present study was conducted by sequential-explanatory mixed method in Hamadan. The first stage was a cross-sectional study on 135 female who were included by convenience sampling method. Data collection tools were Childbirth Experience Questionnaire and Checklist of Assessment of Care during Labor and Physiological Childbirth. The second stage of the study, with the participation of 30 women, was conducted qualitatively 6 months after childbirth using in-depth individual interviews. The results were analyzed by conventional content analysis approach. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using software SPSS 24 and MAXQDA 10.Results: The total mean score of childbirth experience was 71.98 ± 12.37 out of 100. For different dimensions of childbirth experience, support of care providers (3.47 ±0.54) and individual capacity (3.13 ±0.55) out of 4, had the highest and lowest mean scores of childbirth experience. The process of data analysis at the second stage of the study led to the emergence of 53 final codes, 21 sub-categories, 10 categories and 4 themes include: "different emotional emotions", "service satisfaction", "pleasant experience" and "pleasant experience inhibitors".Conclusions: Care provided to women based on the principles of physiological childbirth by increasing the security and control, plays a key role in causing a pleasant experience of childbirth.