@article { , title = {Developing a woman‐centered, inclusive definition of positive childbirth experiences: A discussion paper}, abstract = {Introduction: A positive childbirth experience promotes women’s health, both during and beyond the perinatal period. Understanding what constitutes a positive childbirth experience is thus critical to providing high-quality maternity care. Currently, there is no clear, inclusive, woman-centered definition of a positive childbirth experience to guide practice, education, and research. Aim: To formulate an inclusive woman-centered definition of a positive childbirth experience. Methods: A six-step process was undertaken: (a) Key concepts associated with a positive childbirth were derived from a rapid literature review; (b) The key concepts were used by interdisciplinary experts in the author group to create a draft definition; (c) The draft definition was presented to clinicians and researchers during a European research meeting on perinatal mental health; (d) The authors integrated the expert feedback to refine the working definition; (e) A revised definition was shared with women from consumer groups in six countries to confirm its face validity; and (f) A final definition was formulated based on the women’s feedback (n = 42). Results: The following definition was formulated: “A positive childbirth experience refers to a woman’s experience of interactions and events directly related to childbirth that made her feel supported, in control, safe, and respected; a positive childbirth can make women feel joy, confident, and/or accomplished and may have short and/or long-term positive impacts on a woman’s psychosocial well-being.” Conclusions: This inclusive, woman-centered definition highlights the importance of provider interactions for facilitating a positive childbirth experience. Feeling supported and having a sense of control, safety, and respect are central tenets. This definition could help to identify and validate positive childbirth experience(s), and to inform practice, education, research, advocacy, and policy-making.}, doi = {10.1111/birt.12666}, eissn = {1523-536X}, issn = {0730-7659}, issue = {2}, journal = {Birth}, note = {Note this output is not a duplicate of 2863145.}, pages = {362-383}, publicationstatus = {Published}, publisher = {Wiley}, url = {http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2884856}, volume = {50}, keyword = {Maternal and child health, Maternal and Child Health and Wellbeing Research Group, AI and Technologies, Health, Childbirth experience, definition, positive childbirth, provider interactions, subjective, woman-centred}, year = {2023}, author = {Leinweber, Julia and Fontein?Kuipers, Yvonne and Karlsdottir, Sigfridur Inga and Ekstrm?Bergstrm, Anette and Nilsson, Christina and Stramrood, Claire and Thomson, Gill} }