RELATIONSHIPS AMONG MATERNAL EXPECTATIONS FOR CHILDBIRTH, MATERNAL PERCEPTION OF THE BIRTH EXPERIENCE, AND MATERNAL SATISFACTION WITH CHILDBIRTH IN WOMEN UNDERGOING INDUCTION, AUGMENTATION AND SPONTANEOUS LABOR.
Contributors: University of Texas at Austin.
Published: 1990
Number of pages: 330
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to describe and compare maternal expectations for childbirth, perception of the birth experience, and satisfaction with childbirth in women undergoing induction, augmentation or spontaneous labor. Expectations, perception and satisfaction were measured along the dimensions of coping with pain, support from partner/coach, support from nurses, use of technological interventions, and control. The conceptual framework that guided the study integrated Janis' (1958) theoretical human response to physical threat with theories of patient satisfaction.

A convenience sample of 102 primiparas was recruited through prenatal classes at two tertiary care hospitals. A repeated measures design was employed. Subjects completed questionnaires during the third trimester of pregnancy (Time 1), at 24 to 48 hours after delivery (Time 2), and four to six weeks postpartum (Time 3). Expectations were measured using the Childbirth Expectations Questionnaire (Beaton & Gupton, 1988), the Labour Agentry Scale (Hodnett & Simmons-Tropea, 1987), and an investigator designed instrument, the Antepartum Expectations Questionnaire. The postpartum forms of these instruments, and an investigator designed Satisfaction with Childbirth Questionnaire were administered at Time 2 and Time 3.

Analysis of Covariance indicated that, at Time 2, women who experienced induction or augmentation of labor had significantly less positive perceptions of the birth experience than women who had a spontaneous labor, except for perception of support from nurses. Women who experienced spontaneous labor recorded significantly higher satisfaction scores than women who had augmentation of labor, but neither differed from the Induction group. At Time 3, no differences between groups were found in satisfaction with the birth experience, or in perception of specific dimensions of childbirth. Profile analysis indicated that coping with pain and support from nurses were the only dimensions of perception that changed during the postpartum period. Perception of control emerged from multiple regression analyses as the strongest predictor of satisfaction with childbirth.

The findings have implications for childbirth educators whose goal is to provide realistic preparation for childbirth, for nurses who provide maternity care in hospitals and community settings, and for childbearing women whose birth experience may be enhanced by better understanding of their psychosocial needs.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-07, Section: B, page: 3317.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 1990.

School code: 0227.