Influential Factors of Respectful Maternity Care and Its Relationship with Women's Future Fertility Decisions

The childbirth experience encompasses a complex interplay of physical, emotional, and psychological factors, shaping a woman's overall well-being and potentially influencing her future reproductive plans. The current study aimed to evaluate the influential factors of respectful maternity care and its relationship with women's future fertility decisions.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 308 postpartum women hospitalized in the postpartum wards of educational hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences between April and September 2021. Data were collected using convenience sampling method by a sociodemographic and obstetric checklist and a standard Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and the linear regression model (95% confidence level).

Our findings show that 50.65% of participants would like to have another child, and only 26.62% of them reach the desired number of children. The mean score of RMC was 66.55 (7.13), and variables such as duration of hospital stay, oxytocin induction, episiotomy, birth preparation classes, and level of education were the main predictors of RMC (p-value < 0.05). In addition, a positive correlation was found between the total score of RMC, the next intended fertility (r = 0.24), and ideal fertility in the best socioeconomic condition (r = 0.22).

This study demonstrates a strong association between hospital stay duration, oxytocin induction, episiotomy, birth class attendance, education level, and RMC. Addressing these factors can enhance maternity care quality, childbirth experiences, and ultimately contribute to optimal fertility outcomes.