Related Experiment Videos
Maternal Satisfaction With Childbirth and the Associated Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Mojgan Mirghafourvand1, Zohreh Alizadeh-Dibazari2, Meysam Zarezadeh3,4
1Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Birth (Berkeley, Calif.)
|June 11, 2026
Summary
Globally, about 71% of women report satisfaction with childbirth, but this varies significantly by region and study design. Improving maternal satisfaction requires standardized tools and higher quality research for better birth experiences.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Maternal satisfaction is a crucial measure of intrapartum care quality, impacting maternal and neonatal health.
- Existing research lacks a comprehensive global synthesis of childbirth satisfaction and its influencing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze global evidence on maternal satisfaction with childbirth.
- To identify key determinants influencing women's childbirth satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 observational studies (2015-2025) involving 16,967 women.
- Searches conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar; data extracted and quality assessed by two independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- Pooled prevalence of childbirth satisfaction was 71.0%, with significant heterogeneity (I²=99.17%).
- Satisfaction rates varied regionally: Europe (83.0%), Asia (74.0%), Africa (62.0%).
- Commonly associated factors included maternal age, education, parity, respectful care, and mode of delivery.
Conclusions:
- Childbirth satisfaction estimates are influenced by service quality, expectations, socio-demographics, and cultural factors.
- Substantial heterogeneity and potential biases (language, publication) limit generalizability.
- Standardized, culturally sensitive tools and high-quality research are essential for improving childbirth experiences.
