Maternal Satisfaction with Childbirth Services in a Birthing Center: A Comparative

Abstract

Background: Maternal satisfaction is higher in the midwife-led model than in other models of maternity care. The objective of this study was to compare maternal satisfaction with childbirth services, receiving care in the birthing center, and the labor room.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive comparative research design was used for the study to compare the satisfaction of 70 postnatal mothers delivered in the birthing center (midwifery-led model) with 70 postnatal mothers delivered in the labor room (obstetrician-led model) of Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital. The study population comprised postnatal mothers with normal deliveries, selected using non-probability purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested structured interview.
Results: The median satisfaction score of the respondents delivered in the birthing center is higher (96.88%) than in the labor room (77.66%) with a statistical significant (p-value <0.001).
Conclusions: Almost all the mothers who delivered their newborns at the birthing center were more satisfied with the childbirth services provided by midwives compared with the services provided in the labor room led by other healthcare providers. Therefore, the midwifery-led model should be expanded to improve maternal satisfaction with the childbirth service.
Keywords: Birthing Centers; delivery setting; maternal satisfaction; model of childbirth services.