JOURACA_SP_2017

Expectations and Experiences of Childbirth:
Perspectives from Twenty-First Century
Mothers in the United States
Lauren Hand
What do twenty-first century women in the
United States actually expect out of childbirth
and how is this affecting their firsttime
experiences? Women today have expectations
of their ideal childbirth. However,
unfulfilled expectations can have a huge
impact on a woman's perception of her birth
experience. Research Question: This IRBapproved
study sought to describe perceptions
of birth through birth stories. Methods:
Nine women ranging from ages 18-30 years
old were interviewed 1-2 days postpartum
about what they expected their childbirth to
be like, how they prepared for the event,
and finally the reality of what they experienced.
All women were screened to fit specific
criteria as healthy mothers with healthy
babies. Questions were student-developed
and reviewed for content validity. Through
qualitative and quantitative questions, women
were asked to describe the relationship
with their medical support, rate their childbirth
experience, and state any comments or
suggestions on what they would improve,
change, or prepare for differently when it
comes to their next birthing experience. Results:
In the 9 interviews, recurring themes
included maternal-child bonding, praised
nursing care, lack of preparation, excitement,
and relationship with doctor. There
was no observed relationship between level
or type of preparation and satisfaction.
Department of Nursing
Nursing
Mentor: Dr. Ellen Buckner
Further exploration is needed on the bonding
between nurses and laboring mothers
while in hospital, in-hospital labor experiences
compared and contrasted with out-ofhospital
birthing center delivery experiences,
improving education and preparation for
childbirth, and gaining an increased awareness
of the laboring mother's perspective
during her first childbirth experience.
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