Abstract

Objective

The aim was to investigate birth outcome and birth experience in relation to women’s emotional health. An additional aim was to explore the relationship between emotional health, continuity with a known midwife, and the birth experience.

Methods

A prospective longitudinal cohort study of 243 women enrolled in a continuity of care project in a rural area in Sweden. Profiles were constructed from instruments measuring depressive symptoms, worries, fear of birth, and sense of coherence. Antenatal and birth records and questionnaires were used to collect data.

Result

Women were categorized into two cluster profiles: “emotionally healthy” vs. “emotionally unhealthy”. Women in the “emotionally unhealthy” cluster had a less positive birth experience (p = 0.006). The total score of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire was highest in women who had had a known midwife assisting at birth. Babies born to women in the “emotionally unhealthy” cluster were more likely to have a severe neonatal diagnosis.

Conclusion

There were few differences in birth outcome between the clusters, while there were explicit differences in the childbirth experience. Having a known midwife is important to warrant women a more positive childbirth experience. Screening with validated instruments during antenatal care could be a first step to further investigate women’s emotional well-being and provide targeted psychosocial support.

中文翻译：

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女性情绪特征在分娩结果和分娩经历中的作用

摘要

客观的

目的是调查与女性情绪健康相关的分娩结果和分娩经历。另一个目的是探索情绪健康、与已知助产士的连续性以及分娩经历之间的关系。

方法

一项前瞻性纵向队列研究，纳入了瑞典农村地区连续护理项目的 243 名妇女。档案是由测量抑郁症状、忧虑、对出生的恐惧和连贯感的仪器构建的。产前和出生记录和问卷用于收集数据。

结果

女性被分为两类：“情绪健康”与“情绪不健康”。“情绪不健康”集群中的女性分娩经历不太积极（p  = 0.006）。分娩经历问卷的总分在有已知助产士协助的女性中最高。“情绪不健康”集群中的女性所生的婴儿更有可能有严重的新生儿诊断。

结论

集群之间的出生结果几乎没有差异，而分娩经历却存在明显差异。拥有一位知名的助产士对于保证女性获得更积极的分娩体验非常重要。在产前保健期间使用经过验证的仪器进行筛查可能是进一步调查女性情绪健康和提供有针对性的社会心理支持的第一步。