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.
Background:
Maternal satisfaction with childbirth is a key indicator of intrapartum care quality and is linked to improved maternal and neonatal outcomes, continued use of maternity services, and psychological well-being. Despite growing research attention, a consistent and comprehensive synthesis of global evidence on childbirth satisfaction and its determinants is still lacking.
Methods:
A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies published in English between 2015 and 2025 was conducted. Eligible studies assessed maternal satisfaction using validated instruments. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and assessed study quality using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist.
Results:
Thirty-two studies comprising 16,967 women met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of childbirth satisfaction was 71.0% (95% CI: 65%-77%), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 99.17%, p < 0.001). Satisfaction was 64.0% following vaginal birth and 63.0% after cesarean delivery. Regionally, satisfaction was highest among the five European countries (83.0%), moderate among the four Asian countries (74.0%), and lowest among the four African countries (62.0%). Substantial heterogeneity was observed across all analyses. The most commonly reported associated factors included maternal age, education, parity, respectful care, and mode of delivery.
Discussion:
Differences in birth satisfaction may reflect variations in the quality of delivery services, women's expectations and experiences, socio-demographic characteristics, and cultural factors shaping perceptions of maternity care.
Limitations:
Significant heterogeneity across studies-arising from variations in methodological rigor, measurement approaches, and contextual conditions-limits the precision and generalizability of pooled estimates. The exclusion of non-English studies may have introduced language bias, and potential publication bias cannot be excluded, as suggested by observed funnel plot asymmetry.
Conclusions:
Approximately seven in ten women report satisfaction with childbirth, though estimates vary by region and study design. Standardized, culturally sensitive tools and high-quality research are needed to enhance understanding and improve women's childbirth experiences.
Registration And Protocol:
The systematic review protocol was registered in PROSPERO.
