WOMEN’S SATISFACTION WITH CHILDBIRTH EXPERIENCE

English

Abstract

Aim. This study aims to analyze and compare the childbirth satisfaction levels between primiparous and multiparous women. Methods. An anonymous, structured questionnaire survey was conducted in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at Kaunas Clinics of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Hospital. The sample comprised 104 primiparous and 94 multiparous women. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26.0 software, employing descriptive statistics. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results. The study revealed that multiparous women reported higher satisfaction levels compared to primiparous women across various subscales. These include “Comfort” (primiparous: M=3.66, SD(0.95); multiparous: M = 3.93, SD(0.90), p = 0.044), “Hospital Environment and Services” (primiparous: M=4.00, SD(0.81); multiparous: M = 4.25, SD(0.52); p = 0.010), “Overall Birth Experience Satisfaction” (primiparous: M = 3.96, SD(0.58); multiparous: M = 4.12, SD(0.46); p = 0.028), “Expectation Fulfillment” (primiparous: M = 3.55, SD(0.81); multiparous: M = 3.82, SD(0.73); p = 0.013), and “Postnatal Care” (primiparous: M = 3.88, SD(0.82); multiparous: M = 4.20, SD(0.67); p = 0.004). Conclusion. Both primiparous and multiparous women identified healthcare professional involvement as the most satisfying aspect of their childbirth experience, while the initial contact with the newborn was rated the lowest. Notably, multiparous women showed statistically significant higher satisfaction in areas such as labor comfort, hospital environment and services, overall childbirth experience, expectation fulfillment, and postnatal care compared to primiparous women.