Readiness of pregnant women for birth and associated factors among women attending Moatezadi Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran (2022)

Preparation for the birth of a healthy baby is crucial for reducing maternal mortality and enhancing women’s childbirth experiences. Maternal readiness for childbirth is influenced by various factors, including awareness, social support, and cognitive aspects. This study aimed to evaluate the level of childbirth readiness and identify its associated socio-demographic and obstetrical factors among pregnant women referred to Moatezadi Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran. This cross-sectional study included all pregnant women who presented at Moatezadi Hospital for childbirth. After reviewing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a demographic information questionnaire and a Childbirth Readiness Scale (CRS)-child questionnaire were administered to assess the women’s readiness for childbirth, along with a checklist for related factors. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 statistical software. A total of 400 pregnant women were included in the study, with a mean age of 30.46 ± 11.65 years. The results revealed that the awareness of warning signs during pregnancy was rated as good in 50 % of the women, average in 45 %, and poor in 5 %. Regarding awareness of labor warning signs, 42.8 % rated it as good, 47.8 % as average, and 9.3 % as poor. The level of readiness for labor significantly correlated with increasing age, higher education levels, prior deliveries, improved economic status, and greater awareness of danger signs during pregnancy (P < 0.001). However, the number of prenatal visits did not correlate with women’s readiness levels (P > 0.05). The readiness of pregnant women is associated with socioeconomic status, previous delivery experiences, and various other factors. As maternal readiness plays a pivotal role in the delivery process, it is recommended to enhance relevant variables, such as women’s awareness and education, to improve outcomes.