Evaluating women's childbirth experiences: A cross-sectional study from Iran

Objectives:The experience of childbirth is a special event in women'slife,and it is an essential indicator forassessing the quality of care. This study aimed to evaluate women's experiences of their own capacity, professionalsupport, participation and perceived safety during labour and childbirth in a public hospital in Mazandaran (Northof Iran).Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with ۳۰۰ low-risk postpartum women who gavebirth to single, full-term (۳۷-۴۲ weeks) and healthy babies with no complications. Women were interviewed ۴-۱۲weeks after birth using the Iranian version of the childbirth experience questionnaire (CEQ).Results: The mean CEQ score was ۴۵.۰۸ ± ۴.۵۲. The highest and lowest scores were associated with the "owncapacity" (۱۷.۳۲±۲.۶۳) and "participation" (۵.۸۷±۱.۷۴) domains, respectively, among the childbirth experiencedimensions.Women felt capable and had confidence in their bodies for giving birth; however, they had littlecontrol over labour and childbirth.Conclusion: To provide high-quality childbirth care and improve labouring women's experiences in maternityservices, it is recommended that the midwifery model of care be used for low-risk women. Preserving naturalprocess of childbirth by promoting evidence-based and respectful childbirth care should be considered in anyintervention for change