TY - JOUR
T1 - The Association Between Women's Perception of Birth During the Pandemic, Companion of Choice and Support From Health Professionals
T2 - A Cross-Sectional Study in 20 Countries in the WHO European Region
AU - Batram-Zantvoort, Stephanie
AU - Miani, Céline
AU - Mariani, Ilaria
AU - Valente, Emanuelle Pessa
AU - Zaigham, Mehreen
AU - Nedberg, Ingvild Hersoug
AU - Kurbanović, Magdalena
AU - Pumpure, Elizabete
AU - Bohinec, Anja
AU - Sarantaki, Antigone
AU - Baranowska, Barbara
AU - Abderhalden-Zellweger, Alessia
AU - de La Rochebrochard, Elise
AU - Costa, Raquel
AU - Otelea, Marina Ruxandra
AU - Liepinaitienė, Alina
AU - Radetic, Jelena
AU - Ćerimagić, Amira
AU - Arendt, Maryse
AU - König-Bachmann, Martina
AU - Vedove, Stefano Delle
AU - Linden, Karolina
AU - Kongslien, Sigrun
AU - Drandić, Daniela
AU - Krēsliņa, Dārta
AU - Drglin, Zalka
AU - Metallinou, Dimitra
AU - Tataj-Puzyna, Urszula
AU - Gemperle, Michael
AU - Rozée, Virginie
AU - Dias, Heloísa
AU - Mizgaitienė, Marija
AU - Ruzicic, Jovana
AU - Simon, Imola
AU - Fumagalli, Simona
AU - Elden, Helen
AU - Vik, Eline Skirnisdottir
AU - Ponikvar, Barbara Mihevc
AU - Lykeridou, Aikaterini
AU - Szlendak, Beata
AU - de Labrusse, Claire
AU - Pinto, Tiago Miguel
AU - Jazdauskienė, Simona
AU - Zenzmaier, Christoph
AU - Chertok, Ilana
AU - Sacks, Emma
AU - Lazzerini, Marzia
AU - IMAgiNE EURO Study Group
A2 - Rezeberga, Dace
A2 - Jakovicka, Dārta
A2 - Jansone-Šantare, Gita
A2 - Šibalova, Anna
A2 - Voitehoviča, Elīna
N1 - © 2025 The Author(s). Birth published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
PY - 2025/4/4
Y1 - 2025/4/4
N2 - BACKGROUND: Mitigation measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in maternity care across Europe, including restrictions on companions during labor and birth. This cross-sectional study explores the association between the presence of a companion of choice and a positive perception of the birth experience. Additionally, it explores the association between health professionals' attention, assistance, and availability during labor and birth and a positive perception of birth.METHODS: We utilized a structured, validated online questionnaire, available in 25 languages, to assess the quality of maternal care during the COVID-19 pandemic from women's perspectives. We conducted logistic regression to explore associations between variables related to the presence of a companion of choice, health professionals' attention, assistance, and availability, and positive perceptions of birth, when controlled for confounders, including birth mode and medical interventions.RESULTS: Responses from 48,039 women across 20 countries in the WHO European Region were included. Always having a companion of choice during birth (aOR: 2.11) and always receiving adequate care from health professionals (assistance aOR: 2.12, attention aOR: 36.64, availability aOR: 2.12) were associated with positive birth perception. Instrumental births (aOR: 0.76), episiotomies (aOR: 0.74), fundal pressure (aOR: 0.52), and cesarean births (planned aOR: 0.80, unplanned prelabor aOR: 0.60, unplanned in-labor aOR: 0.52) were associated with less positive birth perceptions.DISCUSSION: This study highlights the critical role of having a chosen companion and receiving adequate attention, assistance, and availability from health professionals in promoting positive birth perceptions, even in times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring the presence of a companion of choice and comprehensive professional support is crucial for delivering high-quality, respectful maternity care.
AB - BACKGROUND: Mitigation measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in maternity care across Europe, including restrictions on companions during labor and birth. This cross-sectional study explores the association between the presence of a companion of choice and a positive perception of the birth experience. Additionally, it explores the association between health professionals' attention, assistance, and availability during labor and birth and a positive perception of birth.METHODS: We utilized a structured, validated online questionnaire, available in 25 languages, to assess the quality of maternal care during the COVID-19 pandemic from women's perspectives. We conducted logistic regression to explore associations between variables related to the presence of a companion of choice, health professionals' attention, assistance, and availability, and positive perceptions of birth, when controlled for confounders, including birth mode and medical interventions.RESULTS: Responses from 48,039 women across 20 countries in the WHO European Region were included. Always having a companion of choice during birth (aOR: 2.11) and always receiving adequate care from health professionals (assistance aOR: 2.12, attention aOR: 36.64, availability aOR: 2.12) were associated with positive birth perception. Instrumental births (aOR: 0.76), episiotomies (aOR: 0.74), fundal pressure (aOR: 0.52), and cesarean births (planned aOR: 0.80, unplanned prelabor aOR: 0.60, unplanned in-labor aOR: 0.52) were associated with less positive birth perceptions.DISCUSSION: This study highlights the critical role of having a chosen companion and receiving adequate attention, assistance, and availability from health professionals in promoting positive birth perceptions, even in times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring the presence of a companion of choice and comprehensive professional support is crucial for delivering high-quality, respectful maternity care.
KW - companion of choice
KW - COVID-19
KW - disrespect and abuse
KW - maternal experiences
KW - positive birth perception
KW - respectful maternity care
KW - WHO standarts
UR - https://www.webofscience.com/wos/alldb/full-record/MEDLINE:40183500
UR - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40183500/
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105002438704
U2 - 10.1111/birt.12915
DO - 10.1111/birt.12915
M3 - Article
C2 - 40183500
SN - 0730-7659
JO - Birth
JF - Birth
ER -