Variables related to maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care in Northern Italy

The experience of labour and birth is complex, multidimensional and subjective and has the potential to affect the women and their families physically and emotionally. However, there is a lack of research around maternal satisfaction in Italy.

To evaluate mothers' satisfaction with their childbirth experience in relation to socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric history and intrapartum care variables.

A cross-sectional study involving 277 women who had given birth in a low risk maternity unit in Northern Italy was undertaken. Satisfaction with birth was measured using the Italian version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (I-BSS-R). The scale comprises three Sub-Scales: quality of care provided, personal attributes of women and stress experienced during childbirth.

No socio-demographic variables were related to maternal satisfaction. Multiparous women had a higher satisfaction score (p=0.020; CI:0.23;2.75). Antenatal class attendance was negatively associated with maternal satisfaction (p=0.038; CI:-2.58; -0.07). Intrapartum variables that significantly reduced maternal satisfaction were: epidural usage (p=0.000; CI:-4.66; -2.07), active phase >12h (p=0.000; CI:-6.01; -2.63), oxytocin administration (p=0.000; CI:-5.08; -2.29) and vacuum assisted birth (p=0.001; CI:-6.50; -1.58). Women with an intact perineum were more likely to be satisfied (p=0.008; CI:-4.60; -0.69).

In accordance with other research, we showed that intrapartum interventions are negatively associated with maternal outcomes and therefore also with maternal satisfaction with birth. The sub-scale that measured Quality of Care provided scored higher than the other two Sub-Scales.

Further studies on maternal satisfaction in Italy should be conducted, using the I-BSS-R with the aim to compare outcomes and understand what matters to women during childbirth.