The effect of perceptions of respectful maternity care on postpartum experience and birth memory: a cross-sectional...

Respectful maternity care is recognized as an important component of childbirth, yet its specific impact on postpartum psychological outcomes and birth memory remains insufficiently explored. This gap in the literature underscores the need for studies such as the present research.

Respectful Maternity Care (RMC), recognized as a fundamental human right, is associated with improved maternal psychological outcomes and satisfaction with birth.

This study aimed to examine the effect of women's perceptions of RMC on postpartum experience (fear of child birth) and birth memory.

A descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted in a private university hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, between April and August 2024. A total of 410 postpartum women meeting inclusion criteria were recruited. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Respectful Maternity Care Scale, the Birth Memory and Recall Scale, and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (Version B). Data were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression.

Higher perceptions of RMC were significantly associated with lower birth-related fear and more positive birth memories. Women attended by midwives reported significantly more respectful care, lower fear, and better birth memory scores. First-time mothers and those with unplanned pregnancies reported higher levels of fear and more negative birth memories.

Perceived RMC plays a protective role in women's psychological well-being by reducing birth fear and shaping birth memories positively. Quality of care during childbirth affects not only immediate satisfaction but also long-term maternal mental health.

Enhancing respectful maternity care practices, particularly through midwifery-led support and informed, woman-centered care, may improve birth experiences and reduce postpartum psychological distress. Although being conducted in a single private hospital limits the generalizability of the findings, this study is one of the few in Türkiye to simultaneously examine respectful maternity care, birth memory, and fear of childbirth, providing a unique and comprehensive perspective on women's postpartum experiences.