Prospective Study on the Factors Influencing Childbirth Experiences in Women Undergoing Vaginal Delivery

Objective: This study aims to analyze the factors influencing childbirth experiences in women undergoing vaginal delivery. Methods: From July to November 2022, 362 hospitalized pregnant women without contraindications to vaginal delivery were selected as subjects. The Childbirth Attitude Questionnaire (CAQ) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) were used to assess their prenatal fear of childbirth and anxiety levels. Postpartum, the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) was used to evaluate their childbirth experiences. Univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis were employed to analyze the factors influencing the childbirth experiences of women undergoing vaginal delivery. Results: The multivariate linear regression model identified the total fear of childbirth score, childbirth complications, special care during labor, and perineal condition as significant factors influencing childbirth experience scores. Higher fear of childbirth scores were associated with lower childbirth experience scores. Experiencing childbirth complications and undergoing episiotomy were also related to lower scores while having special care during labor (such as doula and family accompaniment) was associated with higher scores. Conclusion: This study highlights the impact of childbirth fear, childbirth complications, and special care during labor on childbirth experience scores. The findings emphasize the necessity of providing targeted psychological support and meticulous medical management for parturient women to enhance their childbirth experience. Reducing childbirth fear and more effectively managing childbirth complications is crucial for improving the childbirth experience of women.