Childbirth readiness and its influencing factors in the Yangtze River Delta region of China: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Childbirth readiness is an important strategy in maternal and child health. Current research on the factors influencing childbirth readiness has focused primarily on resource-poor settings to reduce mortality rates. However, in resource-rich areas, emphasis is placed on the experience and quality of childbirth. Based on Meleis' transition theory, this study examines the factors affecting childbirth readiness in China's economically active Yangtze River Delta region from multiple perspectives. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2023, using convenience sampling to select 350 pregnant women in late pregnancy at a tertiary level A maternity hospital in Wuxi, China. Outcomes were assessed based on the General Information Questionnaire, along with the Childbirth Readiness Scale (CRS), eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), Fear of Birth Scale (FOBS), and Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve Index (Family APGAR Index) scores. An independent samples t-test or ANOVA was used for one-way analysis, and multiple linear regression was used for multifactorial analysis to determine the factors influencing childbirth readiness. RESULTS: The statistical results showed that the total mean scores of the CRS, eHEALS, FOBS, and Family APGAR Index were 74.60 ± 8.97, 32.36 ± 6.18, 43.94 ± 24.42, and 8.41 ± 2.10, respectively. According to the multivariate linear regression analysis, abortion (p = 0.033); parity (p < 0.001); attending maternity school (p = 0.048); and eHEALS (p < 0.001), FOBS (p = 0.015), and Family APGAR Index (p = 0.046) scores were the main factors affecting childbirth readiness. CONCLUSION: Current research indicates that pregnant women have moderate-to-high levels of childbirth readiness. Pregnant women with a history of abortion and multiparity and those who attended maternity schools have relatively high levels of childbirth readiness. Family care support and e-health literacy are positive factors, whereas fear of birth is a negative factor for childbirth readiness. Therefore, the government and healthcare institutions can provide personalized childbirth readiness services to pregnant women based on the individual characteristics mentioned above.