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Developing a woman‐centered, inclusive definition of positive childbirth experiences: A discussion paper

Leinweber, Julia; Fontein?Kuipers, Yvonne; Karlsdottir, Sigfridur Inga; Ekstr�m?Bergstr�m, Anette; Nilsson, Christina; Stramrood, Claire; Thomson, Gill

Authors

Julia Leinweber

Sigfridur Inga Karlsdottir

Anette Ekstr�m?Bergstr�m

Christina Nilsson

Claire Stramrood

Gill Thomson



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.

Citation

Leinweber, J., Fontein‐Kuipers, Y., Karlsdottir, S. I., Ekström‐Bergström, A., Nilsson, C., Stramrood, C., & Thomson, G. (2023). Developing a woman‐centered, inclusive definition of positive childbirth experiences: A discussion paper. Birth, 50(2), 362-383. https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12666

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 15, 2022
Online Publication Date Jul 5, 2022
Publication Date 2023-06
Deposit Date Jul 5, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Birth
Print ISSN 0730-7659
Electronic ISSN 1523-536X
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 50
Issue 2
Pages 362-383
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12666
Keywords Childbirth experience, definition, positive childbirth, provider interactions, subjective, woman-centred
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2884856

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