Childbirth experience questionnaire (CEQ): development and evaluation of a multidimensional instrument

Abstract

BackgroundNegative experiences of first childbirth increase risks for maternal postpartum depression and may negatively affect mothers' attitudes toward future pregnancies and choice of delivery method. Postpartum questionnaires assessing mothers' childbirth experiences are needed to aid in identifying mothers in need of support and counselling and in isolating areas of labour and birth management and care potentially in need of improvement. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a questionnaire for assessing different aspects of first-time mothers' childbirth experiences.MethodsChildbirth domains were derived from literature searches, discussions with experienced midwives and interviews with first-time mothers. A draft version of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) was pilot tested for face validity among 25 primiparous women. The revised questionnaire was mailed one month postpartum to 1177 primiparous women with a normal pregnancy and spontaneous onset of active labor and 920 returned evaluable questionnaires. Exploratory factor analysis using principal components analysis and promax rotation was performed to identify dimensions of the childbirth experience. Multitrait scaling analysis was performed to test scaling assumptions and reliability of scales. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing scores from subgroups known to differ in childbirth experiences.ResultsFactor analysis of the 22 item questionnaire yielded four factors accounting for 54% of the variance. The dimensions were labelled Own capacity, Professional support, Perceived safety, and Participation. Multitrait scaling analysis confirmed the fit of the four-dimensional model and scaling success was achieved in all four sub-scales. The questionnaire showed good sensitivity with dimensions discriminating well between groups hypothesized to differ in experience of childbirth.ConclusionThe CEQ measures important dimensions of the first childbirth experience and may be used to measure different aspects of maternal satisfaction with labour and birth.

Randomized Trial of Labor Induction in Women 35 Years of Age or Older

“…To assess the women's experience of childbirth as measured with the use of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire, 27 we performed a complete case analysis, using the unpaired t-test, to compare the mean subscale scores and the mean total score (the average of the four individual subscale scores) between women in the induction group and those in the expectant-management group. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to calculate P values.…”

“…T h e ne w e ngl a nd jou r na l o f m e dicine Other secondary outcomes included the mothers' expectations and experience of childbirth, as measured with the use of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire, 27 which was sent to the women 1 month after the birth. This measure assesses four domains of the experience of childbirth: the woman's own capacity (her sense of control and personal feelings during childbirth), professional support (the woman's receipt of information and midwifery care), perceived safety (the woman's sense of security and memories from the childbirth), and participation in the birth (the woman's ability to influence the birthing process).…”

Satisfaction with childbirth services provided in public health facilities: results from a cross- sectional survey among postnatal women in Chhattisgarh, India

“…For example: being multiparous, preferring a spontaneous vaginal birth and being able to have a spontaneous vaginal birth [15,28] enhances the women’s satisfaction with giving birth. The feelings associated with childbirth itself, due to limited opportunities of exploration in quantitative studies, pose some confounders like the ‘halo effect’ – a positive attitude prevailing due to successfully giving birth – making it difficult to separate childbirth satisfaction from satisfaction with childbirth services [12,29,30]. The ‘ceiling effect’ – participants’ tendencies to rate services more positively in general – is another known confounder, making it difficult to differentiate excellent care from adequate care [23,31].…”

Efektifitas Latihan Birth Ball Terhadap Efikasi Diri Primipara dengan Persalinan Normal

“…Saat seorang ibu bersalin diberikan dukungan penghargan yang sifatnya positif, misalnya dalam bentuk pujian dari keluarganya, ibu bersalin akan merasa dirinya cukup berharga sehingga saat belajar ia memiliki dorongan untuk mengatur, memonitor menyeleksi lingkungan yang kondusif untuk proses persalinan. Dukungan informasi yang diberikan oleh keluarga juga akan membantu seseorang untuk mendapatkan informasi baik (15,16).…”