Do maternal personality variables influence childbirth satisfaction? A longitudinal study in low-risk pregnancies

To analyze the influence of maternal personality (big five personality, coping and childbirth expectations) on birth satisfaction. A longitudinal prospective design was used with 116 pregnant women during November 2014-December 2015 at a public hospital (Madrid, Spain) with three assessment stages: first trimester of pregnancy (personality factors), third trimester (childbirth expectations and coping strategies) and 48 hours after childbirth (labor satisfaction). The highest childbirth satisfaction scores were for professional support, support from partner and overall satisfaction. Higher childbirth satisfaction scores were found for vaginal births than for cesarean sections or instrumental births. Childbirth expectation dimensions showed the highest number of associations with childbirth satisfaction. Significant correlations were found between neuroticism and home assessment, agreeableness and environment, and openness to experience and overall satisfaction. Significant positive correlations were found between positive reappraisal and continuity, and negative correlations between avoidance coping and home assessment. Regression analyses showed the predictive role played by the type of birth, and the caregiving environment as childbirth expectation, and positive reappraisal and avoidance as coping strategies. These findings have important implications for health professionals who provide assistance to pregnant women through holistic models which include the assessment and adjustment of childbirth expectations.