Primiparae's well-being before and after birth and relationship with preferred and actual mode of birth in Germany and the USA
- The purpose of this study was to evaluate which mode of birth first-time mothers in Germany and in the USA prefer and how this desire is related to maternal well-being and sense of coherence. The paper describes emotional well-being postpartum in relationship to mode of birth. For data collection a prospective cohort study was conducted in both countries. A self-administered questionnaire including validated instruments (WHO-5 Well-Being Index, Sense of Coherence Scale and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) was used. Results showed that only a few of the pregnant women in Germany and the USA preferred to deliver by caesarean section. There was a relationship between women's well-being, women's sense of coherence and the preferred mode of birth. The majority of women who wanted a caesarean section delivered in this way. No relationship was found between women's well-being and the type of birth experienced. Well-being in both samples generally decreased after giving birth, but there was a difference between German and American first-time mothers on the postpartum well-being and depression scores. German mothers had a higher postnatal quality of life and lower postnatal depression scores. To give families the opportunity for a healthy start, midwives and obstetricians should try to enhance women's well-being and they should give some thought to health professionals' decision-making processes. Expanded postpartum care might have an impact on women's depression scores..
Author: | Claudia Hellmers |
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Title (English): | Primiparae's well-being before and after birth and relationship with preferred and actual mode of birth in Germany and the USA |
Parent Title (English): | Journal of reproductive and infant psychology |
Document Type: | Article |
Language: | English |
Year of Completion: | 2008 |
electronic ID: | Zur Anzeige in scinos |
Release Date: | 2018/08/21 |
Volume: | 26 |
Issue: | 4 |
First Page: | 351 |
Last Page: | 372 |
Faculties: | Fakultät WiSo |
DDC classes: | 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / 610 Medizin, Gesundheit |
Review Status: | Veröffentlichte Fassung/Verlagsversion |