Do antenatal preparation and obstetric complications and procedures interact to affect birth experience and postnatal mental health?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Antenatal preparation is commonly offered to women in pregnancy in the United Kingdom, but the content is highly variable, with some programmes orientated towards 'normal birth', whilst others may incorporate information about complications and procedures (broader focus). However, the impact of this variability on birth experience has not been explored. We examined the relationship between the content of antenatal preparation received and birth experience, taking into account obstetric complications and procedures. As birth experience can have a profound impact on a mother's postnatal well-being, we also investigated associations with mothers' postnatal mood and anxiety.

Methods

N = 253 first-time mothers completed a cross-sectional survey measuring demographic an

SUBMITTER: Cross H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10375777 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature