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The Association Between Women's Perception of Birth During the Pandemic, Companion of Choice and Support From Health Professionals : A Cross-Sectional Study in 20 Countries in the WHO European Region

Batram-Zantvoort, Stephanie ; Miani, Céline ; Mariani, Ilaria ; Valente, Emanuelle Pessa ; Zaigham, Mehreen LU orcid ; Nedberg, Ingvild Hersoug ; Kurbanović, Magdalena ; Pumpure, Elizabete ; Bohinec, Anja and Sarantaki, Antigone , et al. (2025) In Birth p.1-13
Abstract

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... (More)

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.

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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
in
Birth
pages
1 - 13
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • scopus:105002438704
  • pmid:40183500
ISSN
0730-7659
DOI
10.1111/birt.12915
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
© 2025 The Author(s). Birth published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
id
32125df7-f40a-4d2f-8ff4-c7cde9792cbe
date added to LUP
2025-04-08 09:10:42
date last changed
2025-05-05 04:24:10
@article{32125df7-f40a-4d2f-8ff4-c7cde9792cbe,
  abstract     = {{<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p>}},
  author       = {{Batram-Zantvoort, Stephanie and Miani, Céline and Mariani, Ilaria and Valente, Emanuelle Pessa and Zaigham, Mehreen and Nedberg, Ingvild Hersoug and Kurbanović, Magdalena and Pumpure, Elizabete and Bohinec, Anja and Sarantaki, Antigone and Baranowska, Barbara and Abderhalden-Zellweger, Alessia and de La Rochebrochard, Elise and Costa, Raquel and Otelea, Marina Ruxandra and Liepinaitienė, Alina and Radetic, Jelena and Ćerimagić, Amira and Arendt, Maryse and König-Bachmann, Martina and Vedove, Stefano Delle and Linden, Karolina and Kongslien, Sigrun and Drandić, Daniela and Kreslina, Darta and Drglin, Zalka and Metallinou, Dimitra and Tataj-Puzyna, Urszula and Gemperle, Michael and Rozée, Virginie and Dias, Heloísa and Mizgaitienė, Marija and Ruzicic, Jovana and Simon, Imola and Fumagalli, Simona and Elden, Helen and Vik, Eline Skirnisdottir and Ponikvar, Barbara Mihevc and Lykeridou, Aikaterini and Szlendak, Beata and de Labrusse, Claire and Pinto, Tiago Miguel and Jazdauskienė, Simona and Zenzmaier, Christoph and Chertok, Ilana and Sacks, Emma and Lazzerini, Marzia}},
  issn         = {{0730-7659}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{04}},
  pages        = {{1--13}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Birth}},
  title        = {{The Association Between Women's Perception of Birth During the Pandemic, Companion of Choice and Support From Health Professionals : A Cross-Sectional Study in 20 Countries in the WHO European Region}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/birt.12915}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/birt.12915}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}