A longitudinal study of the subjective birth experience and the relationship to mental health.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A satisfying birth experience has positive effects on the well-being of mother and child. The birth experience depends on subjective expectations and objective birth parameters, and the view of birth can also change over time. However, it is still unclear how birth anxiety and mode of birth affect the different dimensions of the birth experience in the first months after childbirth.

Methods

In this prospective longitudinal study, 307 first-time mothers, planning to give birth vaginally, were assessed for fear of childbirth at approximately 34 weeks of gestation and for obstetric information. Postpartum birth experience and psychological stress was evaluated 2 days, 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum using the validated Childbirth Experience Questionnaire which compri

SUBMITTER: Marthesheimer S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11866607 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature