Predictors of Women’s Childbirth Experience: A Prospective Longitudinal Study on Italian New Mothers

Abstract

BACKGROUNDWomen’s memories of their childbirth experience tend to remain unchanged over time. This experience can be influenced by obstetric factors as well as by sociodemographic and psychological variables.OBJECTIVETo examine whether women’s perceived childbirth experience changes over time; to identify the predictors (obstetric, sociodemographic, and psychological variables) of this experience immediately after delivery and after 3 months.METHODSThis prospective longitudinal study comprised two hundred and twenty-one Italian women who completed a self-report questionnaire at two assessment points: immediately (1–3 days) after birth (Time 1) and 3 months postpartum (Time 2). At Time 1, the questionnaire included some questions on sociodemographic, psychological, and obstetric information, and the Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire (WDEQ(B); at Time 2 women compiled again the WDEQ(B).RESULTSRepeated measures ANOVA revealed that the childbirth experience did not change from Time 1 to Time 2. However, predictors of this experience were different between Time 1 and Time 2: at Time 1, the childbirth experience (WDEQ(B)_t1) was significantly predicted nly by type of cesarean section; at Time 2, the childbirth experience (WDEQ(B)_t2) was significantly predicted by WDEQ(B)_t1, history of psychological disorders, and type of conception.DISCUSSIONSOur findings enhance the understanding of the main predictors of a woman’s childbirth experience. Identifying areas of vulnerability is important for clinical practice, as well as for developing maternal health policies to improve women’s birth experiences, postpartum well-being, and the baby’s development.