Midwifery

Editorial Board

2012-04-01

International News

2012-04-01

Organisation of maternity care and choices of mode of birth: A worldwide view

Hora Soltani, Jane Sandall — 2012-02-27

Abstract: Drawing on the findings from a Cochrane systematic review of midwife-led care vs. other models of maternity care, this article discusses maternity organisation of care, women's choice of mode of birth and a global trend in reducing normality of childbirth.The review included 11 trials involving 12,276 women. The results showed that women who received models of midwife led care were less likely to experience fetal loss before 24 weeks' gestation, less likely to have regional analgesia, less likely to have instrumental birth, less likely to have an episiotomy (with no significant differences in perineal lacerations), and were more likely to be attended at birth by a known midwife, more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth, initiate breast feeding and more stated to feel in control. In addition, their babies were more likely to have a shorter length of hospital stay. No statistically significant differences were observed in fetal loss/neonatal death of at least 24 weeks or in overall fetal/neonatal death between women who were allocated to the midwifery led care and those in the medical led care. In light of these findings, the interrelationship between social organisation of maternity care, philosophy of care and choice is explored using case examples with high and low rates of caesarean section rates. A worldwide overview of vaginal birth and caesarean section rates as indicators of normality (and lack of it) is also presented. Questions are raised with regard to the fast growing rate of caesarean section rates particularly among middle income countries. The rate of caesarean section is twice as much in private settings compared to public hospitals in these countries.In conclusion, the importance of sharing good practice among countries with particular attention to social location of midwifery, mobilisation of consumer groups as well as education of maternity health-care professionals and women, in facilitation of an effective ‘informed choice’, is highlighted. Areas for further global research on factors, which may influence women's choice of mode of birth are debated.

Using diaries to explore midwives' experiences in intrapartum care: An evaluation of the method in a phenomenological study

Carol Bedwell, Linda McGowan, Tina Lavender — 2011-02-23

Abstract: Aim: finding appropriate ways of obtaining contemporaneous data in acute settings is an ethical and practical dilemma for researchers. Our aim was to evaluate the use of diaries by midwives in a research study informed by a phenomenological approach.Setting and sample: a purposive sample of 12 midwives working across three Trusts in the North West of England.Method: a phenomenological approach was used to guide a study exploring midwives views of confidence when providing intrapartum care. Two methods of data collection were used; diaries and semi-structured interviews. This is a methodological paper reporting on the usefulness of diaries used with participants who were health professionals in a health-care setting.Results: participants completing qualitative diaries provided rich data, recording not only a description of events but also their emotional response to such events. A high degree of self-reflection and analysis was also evident. The participants provided contextual and time situated data although remaining focused on the phenomena being explored. Furthermore, the diaries highlighted the data that may not have been uncovered by interview alone.Conclusion: use of diaries for qualitative data collection is feasible and well received by health professionals. Individuals completing diaries were engaged in a reflective process enabling them to address significant events. Hence, diaries may provide benefits to both the researcher and the participant. They proved appropriate to a study requiring an exploration of the lived experience of the participants. Researchers conducting research informed by a phenomenological perspective should consider diaries as a valuable data collection tool.

The ambiguity of disabled women's experiences of pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood: A phenomenological understanding

Dympna Walsh-Gallagher, Marlene Sinclair, Roy Mc Conkey — 2011-05-16

Abstract: Background: there is limited knowledge about the pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood experiences of women living with a disability. Traditionally, such women have been viewed unsympathetically by society and professionals have challenged their fitness for motherhood. The situation is compounded by a lack of robust evidence regarding the life experience of pregnant women with a disability and their perspective on childbirth.Method: seventeen pregnant women from the island of Ireland who had a physical, sensory and/or intellectual disability were interviewed at home, pre and post birth, using a qualitative approach derived from descriptive phenomenology. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), was chosen for data analysis.Findings: the women in this study welcomed pregnancy as affirming their identity and worth as women and as mothers. They encountered mixed reactions from partners and families, while professionals tended to view them as liabilities, regarding most as ‘high risk’. These reactions intensified mothers' fears. They felt their ability to make choices and maintain control over their childbirth experiences was removed as the usual services were geared to provide for ‘normal’, able bodied women and were not adapted to their individual needs. Moreover, a proportion were offered a termination and, although all refused, they subsequently went on to indicate feeling pressurised to place their newborn babies into social services care.Conclusion: pregnant women with disabilities, in particular those labelled ‘high risk’, should expect equal ease of access to appropriate maternity care and consultation as that enjoyed by their mainstream, ‘low risk’ or ‘normal’ counterparts. Maternity services should foster these vulnerable women's independence and autonomy as far as practicable and uphold their identity and worth as women and as mothers. Three strategies are proposed for doing this.

Drugs and having babies: An exploration of how a specialist clinic meets the needs of chemically dependent pregnant women

Michelle Morris, Carmel Seibold, Ruth Webber — 2011-06-09

Abstract: Objectives: to explore the extent to which a specialist clinic meets the needs of chemically dependent women.Design: a critical ethnography informed by theorists such as Habermas and feminists' interpretation of Foucault.Setting: a specialist antenatal clinic for chemically dependent pregnant women at a major metropolitan women's hospital in Melbourne, Australia.Participants: a purposive sample of twenty (20) chemically dependent pregnant women who attended the clinic.Data collection and analysis included three taped interviews (two preceding the birth and one post birth), observation of the interactions between the women and the clinic staff over a 25-month period and chart audits.Findings: similar to other studies there were multiple factors influencing development and maintenance of chemical dependency in this group of women, including family instability, family history of drug and alcohol abuse, childhood sexual abuse, having a chemically dependent partner and having a dual diagnosis of both drug addiction and mental illness. Initially there was considerable variation between the women and the clinic staff's expectations with regard to attending for antenatal care and conforming to a set regime as the women struggled with the contradictions inherent in their lifestyle and that of the ‘normal’ expectant mother. Aspects of that struggle included their belief that their opinions and knowledge of their lives was largely ignored, leading to episodes of resistance. Several women alleged the clinics staff's relationship with them was influenced by a belief that the women were ‘hopeless addicts in need of expert medical and midwifery care' and that the clinic staff exercised control in an authoritarian manner. However, as they explored possibilities for collaboration, they realised they could exercise power and work towards a more equal relationship with staff. The quality of relationships in most instances improved over time, and if not always strictly collaborative, was situated at various points along a continuum from minimal to full co-operation, with concomitant varying levels of success in terms of outcomes. It was often the attitude of individual staff members, particularly midwives, that was the key to the way in which the women responded to care.Key conclusions and implications for practice: comprehensive history-taking and engaging women as early as possible in pregnancy; providing continuity of care – particularly midwife care – to assist in developing a collaborative approach to care; provision of an extended period of postnatal support to at least six months for those women able to parent their children was a key recommendation.

The Limerick Lullaby project: An intervention to relieve prenatal stress

Mary Carolan, Maebh Barry, Mary Gamble, Kathleen Turner, Óscar Mascareñas — 2011-03-07

Abstract: Background: stress during pregnancy is common and has been linked to a range of poorer maternal and infant outcomes. Treatment options are few, however, due to difficulties of diagnosis and concerns about the impact of medication on the developing fetus. Singing is an activity with stress reducing and other benefits that may be worth exploring. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of singing lullabies during pregnancy.Methods: participants were recruited at antenatal classes at a metropolitan maternity hospital in Ireland. Six pregnant women participated and learnt to sing three lullabies over four group sessions with musicians. Qualitative in depth interviews were conducted approximately three months later to capture the women's experiences.Key findings: participants unanimously reported a sense of satisfaction with their participation and all would recommend the programme to a friend. Findings suggest that learning to sing lullabies in pregnancy benefited women in terms of relaxation, in feeling closer to their infants, in connecting with other pregnant women and in providing an additional tool for communication in the early newborn period. Some women described profound feelings of love and connection with the unborn infant while singing the lullabies.Implications for practice: the principal value of this intervention is that it is non-pharmacological and easy to implement. At the same time, it appears to be an enjoyable exercise for pregnant women and to have an effect on reducing maternal stress and encouraging infant attachment.

Midwives' awareness and experiences regarding domestic violence among pregnant women in southern Sweden

Hafrún Finnbogadóttir, Anna-Karin Dykes — 2011-07-15

Abstract: Objective: to explore midwives' awareness of and clinical experience regarding domestic violence among pregnant women in southern Sweden.Design: an inductive qualitative design, using focus groups interviews.Setting: midwives with experience of working in antenatal care (ANC) units connected to two university hospitals in southern Sweden. Participants 16 midwives recruited by network sampling and purposive sampling, divided into four focus groups of three to five individuals.Findings: five categories emerged: ‘Knowledge about ‘the different faces’ of violence’, perpetrator and survivor behaviour, and violence-related consequences. ‘Identified and visible vulnerable groups’, ‘at risk’ groups for exposure to domestic violence during pregnancy, e.g. immigrants and substance users. ‘Barriers towards asking the right questions’, the midwife herself could be an obstacle, lack of knowledge among midwives as to how to handle disclosure of violence, fear of the perpetrator and presence of the partner at visits to the midwife. ‘Handling the delicate situation’, e.g. the potential conflict between the midwife's professional obligation to protect the pregnant woman and the unborn baby who is exposed to domestic violence and the survivor's wish to avoid interference. ‘The crucial role of the midwife’, insufficient or non-existent support for the midwife, lack of guidelines and/or written plans of action in situations when domestic violence is disclosed. The above five categories were subsumed under the overarching category ‘Failing both mother and the unborn baby’ which highlights the vulnerability of the unborn baby and the need to provide protection for the unborn baby by means of adequate care to the pregnant woman.Key conclusions and implication for practice: avoidance of questions concerning the experience of violence during pregnancy may be regarded as a failing not only to the pregnant woman but also to the unprotected and unborn baby. Nevertheless, certain hindrances must be overcome before the implementation of routine enquiry concerning violence during pregnancy. It is important to develop guidelines and a plan of action for all health-care personnel at antenatal clinics as well as to provide continuous education and professional support for midwives in southern Sweden.

Experiences of teenage pregnancy among Xhosa families

Sindiwe James, Dalena Van Rooyen, Juanita Strümpher, DCur — 2011-05-25

Abstract: Objectives: to explore and describe the experiences of teenage pregnancy among Xhosa families, and, depending on the results of the study, to recommend a strategy to assist midwives to enhance pregnancy outcomes.Design: a qualitative, explorative, descriptive, phenomenological and contextual research design. In-depth face-to-face interviews were performed to collect data.Participants: 10 pregnant teenagers, eight mothers, two fathers, seven grandmothers and three grandfathers from the same families were interviewed independently and privately.Findings: pregnant teenagers experienced emotional turmoil as they strived to cope with their pregnancy, and experienced a change in their relationships with significant others due to expectations that were not met and role confusion which led to crisis. Parents experienced overwhelming emotions due to the unexpected pregnancy of their child, and loss of control as the pregnancy could not be reversed. Grandparents of pregnant teenagers experienced the pregnancy as a family disturbance, and acknowledged that healing should take place in the family.Key conclusions: teenage pregnancy was experienced differently by different generations within the same family, but all the experiences culminated in anger that hampered the necessary parental support for the pregnant teenager. Lack of support during pregnancy can easily affected the well-being of the unborn child, as teenagers are not supervised and experience acute emotional stress. Intervention by a midwife could help to relieve the teenager's stress and optimise the pregnancy outcome.

Women's views and experiences of maternity care: A study of immigrant Afghan women in Melbourne, Australia

Touran Shafiei, Rhonda Small, Helen McLachlan — 2011-04-04

Abstract: Objective: to explore immigrant Afghan women's views and experiences of maternity care in Melbourne, Australia.Design, setting and participants: a mixed methods design was used with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Immigrant Afghan women were recruited from four Melbourne hospitals. Forty women were interviewed by telephone four months after birth, using closed and open-ended questions; and ten participated in further in-depth face-to-face interviews around one year after birth. Thematic analysis was undertaken both of the open-ended questions in the telephone interviews, and the face-to-face interview transcripts.Findings: women were more likely to rate their intrapartum care as very good (70%) compared with antenatal care (49%) and postnatal care (57%). Factors important in women's satisfaction with maternity care were predominantly related to interactions with caregivers, their attitudes and behaviour, and receiving adequate information, explanations and support from staff. In addition, emerging themes from analysis of both telephone and face-to-face interviews regarding women's experiences were: ‘interactions with caregivers’, ‘the organisation of care and the hospital environment’ and ‘reflections on care at home in Afghanistan’.Conclusions: Afghan women's experiences of maternity care are similar to findings of previous research with both immigrant and non-immigrant women, demonstrating the key role of caregiver attitudes and behaviour in women's satisfaction with care.

Are birth kits a good idea? A systematic review of the evidence

Vanora A. Hundley, Bilal I. Avan, David Braunholtz, Wendy J. Graham — 2011-05-11

Abstract: Objective: to identify the current state of knowledge regarding the effects of births kits on clean birth practices and on newborn and maternal outcomes.Design: the scoping review was informed through a systematic literature review; a call for information distributed to experts in maternal and child health, relevant research centres and specialist libraries; and a search of the web sites of groups working in the area of maternal and child health. Data were synthesised to produce a summary of the state of knowledge regarding birth kits. Meta-analysis was not attempted because of the varied study designs and the heterogeneous nature of the interventions.Participants: births kit use was identified in 51 low resource countries, but evaluations were scarce, with only nine studies reporting effects of intervention packages including births kits.Findings: the quality of evidence for inferring causality was weak, with only one randomised controlled trial. In two studies, births kit use along with co-interventions resulted in a statistically significant increase in the likelihood of the attendant having clean hands. The impact on other aspects of cleanliness was less clear. Intervention packages which include births kits were associated with reduced newborn mortality (three studies), omphalitis (four studies), and puerperal sepsis (three studies). The one study that considered maternal mortality was not large enough to estimate relative reduction with much precision. None of the studies reported any adverse effects; however, none explicitly described looking for negative consequences.Conclusion: providing birth kits to facilitate clean practices seems commonsense, but there is no evidence to indicate effects, positive or negative, separate from those achieved by a broader intervention package. More robust methods and knowledge systems are needed to understand the contextual factors and share relevant implementation lessons.

Australian midwives' attitudes towards care for women with emotional distress

Cindy J. Jones, Debra K. Creedy, Jenny A. Gamble — 2011-02-22

Abstract: Objective: to assess Australian midwives' attitudes towards caring for women with emotional distress and their perceptions of the extent to which workplace policies and processes hindered such care.Design: a postal survey.Setting: members of the Australian College of Midwives.Participants: 815 Australian midwives completed the survey.Measurements: a modified version of the 17-item REASON questionnaire () that was originally developed for used by General Practitioners to measure their attitudes towards their role in the management of patients with mental health disorders.Findings: An exploratory factor analysis with Varimax rotation identified four factors that reflected midwives' (1) perceptions of systemic problems that hindered emotional care, (2) attitudes towards working with women experiencing emotional health problems, (3) perceived competence in using treatment techniques and (4) attitudes and perceived competence towards the referral of women with depression and anxiety to other health professionals.Key conclusions and implications for practice: participating midwives indicated their willingness to offer assistance and acknowledged the importance of providing emotional care to women. In practice, emotional care by midwives is impeded by perceived lack of competency rather than a lack of interest. Midwives' competency in the assessment and care of women with conditions such as depression and anxiety may be enhanced through continuing professional education.

Chinese family adaptation during the postpartum period and its influencing factors: A questionnaire survey

Hong Lu, Xiu Zhu, Rui Hou, De-hui Wang, Hai-juan Zhang, Alison While — 2011-03-21

Abstract: Aim: this study aimed to explore new parents' views and experiences during their transition to parenthood.Background: in China the one-child birth policy may bring more stress and challenges for the new parents due to the lack of experience and greater expectations of their new role. China is also at a stage of rapid economic and social development which creates new conditions for parenthood.Methods: a cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to September 2009 among 232 mothers and fathers, yielding a 83.6% response rate (n=194 couples). The questionnaire included: the Family Assessment Device-General Function Scale, the Family Resources Scale, the Family Adaptation Scale, and the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale.Results: there were no significant differences between mothers' adaptation and fathers' adaptation during the postpartum period, as well as their perceived stress, family function and family resources (p>0.05). Method of childbirth was not related to adaptation. About 29% of variance in mothers' adaptation could be explained by satisfaction with the infant's gender (B=0.295, p<0.001), fathers' adaptation (B=0.236, p<0.001), and family resources (B=0.179, p=0.016). About 42% of variance in fathers' adaptation could be explained by mothers' adaptation (B=0.268, p<0.001), satisfaction with marriage (B=0.248, p=0.002), satisfaction with the infant's gender (B=0.209, p<0.007), and family resources (B=0.206, p=0.002).Conclusion: this study highlights the importance of family resources to family adaptation and antenatal and postnatal education programmes as part of family-centred care. The possible influences of culture and polices need to be considered by health-care professionals developing strategies to facilitate family adaptation to the early parenthood.

Between life and death: Women’s experiences of coming close to death, and surviving a severe postpartum haemorrhage and emergency hysterectomy

Rakime Elmir, Virginia Schmied, Debra Jackson, Lesley Wilkes — 2011-01-21

Abstract: Objective: to describe women’s experiences of having an emergency hysterectomy following a severe postpartum haemorrhage.Design: a qualitative research approach was used to guide this study. Data were collected through semi-structured, tape recorded face to face, email internet and telephone interviews.Setting: three States in Australia: New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.Participants: twenty-one Australian women who experienced a severe post partum followed by an emergency hysterectomy participated in the study. The median age of participants at time of interview was 42 years and the median time since having the hysterectomy was four years.Findings: a process of inductive analysis revealed the major theme, ‘between life and death’ and three sub-themes, ‘being close to death: bleeding and fear’, ‘having a hysterectomy: devastation and realisation’ and ‘reliving the trauma: flashbacks and memories’.Conclusion: formulating a plan of care for women identifiably at risk of PPH and ensuring appropriate follow-up counselling is made, is key to help reduce the emotional and psychological symptoms experienced by these women in the aftermath of severe postpartum haemorrhage and hysterectomy.

Effectiveness of an educational programme in perineal repair for midwives

Angela E. Wilson — 2011-06-16

Abstract: Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of a work-based module and in-service educational programme in perineal repair for midwives on their perceived level of competency undertaking this skill in clinical practice.Design: a quasi-experimental pre–post intervention case study combining a non-equivalent comparison group and evaluation action research.Setting: six NHS consultant/midwifery led Trusts in South East England between December 2002 and 2006.Participants: 145 midwives from six NHS Trusts.Interventions: a post-registration work-based module in perineal repair for midwives and alternative two hour in-service perineal repair workshops across five intervention Trusts.Main outcome measures: midwives' perceived level of competency and confidence undertaking perineal repair.Main findings: significantly greater numbers of midwives were able to practice perineal repair at higher levels of competency following an educational intervention in five intervention Trusts (P<.006). There was a non-significant difference in the comparison Trust (P<.535). In addition, an educational programme for midwives increased the numbers of senior student midwives who were able to participate in perineal repair confidently under the direct supervision of their mentor when they perceived that their mentor was confident and competent undertaking the procedure.Key conclusions: an educational programme in perineal repair can make a significant difference to the midwives' perceived level of competency and confidence when assessing and managing perineal trauma and repair.Implications for practice: competency and expertise are complex phenomena and the data has provided greater insight into the complex nature of workplace learning alongside the multiple factors influencing clinical decision-making such as staff shortage, time constraints and inadequate numbers of midwives who are able to instruct, supervise and assess competency in perineal repair. Funding for training is fundamental for the sustainability of future practice development.

Human milk banking in the volunteer sector: Policy development and actuality in 1970s Australia

Virginia Thorley — 2011-03-17

Abstract: Objective: to describe the development of rigorous milk banking policies in the voluntary sector in Australia, 1975–1979, by the non-government organisation, the Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia (now the Australian Breastfeeding Association), and the eventual abandonment of milk banking by the organisation.Design: historical article.Setting: Australia in the years 1975–1979.Conclusions: during the period in which the policy development described here took place, conducting a milk bank to the rigorous standards set by the organisation required too heavy an investment of hours by unpaid volunteer coordinators to be sustainable.Implications for practice: in establishing and continuing a successful milk bank, models which depend less on volunteer hours may be more sustainable.

Breast-feeding attitudes and practices among Vietnamese mothers in Ho Chi Minh City

Pranee C. Lundberg, Trieu Thi Ngoc Thu — 2011-04-04

Abstract: Objective: to describe breast-feeding attitudes and practices among Vietnamese women in Ho Chi Minh City.Design: a descriptive qualitative study was used. The theory of planned behaviour provided the conceptual framework.Setting: the Well-baby Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a university hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.Participants: 23 voluntary Vietnamese mothers.Data collection and analysis: semi-structured in-depth interview with five open-ended questions and observation was used. The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data from the interviews and observations were analysed by use of content analysis.Findings: five categories of breast-feeding attitudes and practices were identified: breast-feeding best but not exclusive, cultural and traditional beliefs, infant feeding as a learning process, factors influencing decision to breast feed, and intention to feed the child.Key conclusion and implications for practice: cultural and traditional beliefs and practices, and socio-economic situation, influenced the Vietnamese mothers' breast feeding. Health-care professionals should consider cultural context and socio-economic issues when preparing infant feeding education and intervention programmes. Appropriate knowledge about cultural values should be included in health-care education in order to provide culturally congruent care to Vietnamese mothers in Vietnam as well as in Western countries.

Implementing the WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative in the community: a ‘hearts and minds’ approach

Gill Thomson, Andy Bilson, Fiona Dykes — 2011-04-04

Abstract: Objectives: to describe a ‘hearts and minds’ approach to community Baby Friendly Initiative implementation developed from the views of multidisciplinary professionals.Design: a qualitative descriptive study utilising focus groups and interviews, with thematic networks analysis conducted.Setting: forty-seven professionals were consulted from two primary health-care facilities located in the North-West of England.Findings: thematic networks analysis generated a global theme of a ‘hearts and minds approach’ to BFI implementation, which embodies emotional and rational engagement. The three underpinning organising themes (and their associated basic themes): ‘credible leadership’, ‘engagement of key partners’ and ‘changing attitudes and practice’ reflect the context, processes and outcomes of a ‘hearts and minds’ approach.Conclusions and implications for practice: a ‘hearts and minds’ approach transcends the prescriptive aspects of a macro-level intervention with its emphasis upon audits, training, statistics and ‘hard’ evidence through valuing other professionals and engaging staff at all levels. It offers insights into how organisational change may move beyond traditional top-down mechanisms for driving change to incorporate ways that value others and promote cooperation and reflection.

Assessing the perception of the childbirth experience in Italian women: A contribution to the adaptation of the childbirth perception questionnaire

2011-04-13

Abstract: Background: childbirth is a crucial experience in women's life as it has a substantial psychological, emotional and physical impact. A childbirth positive experience is important to the woman, infant's health and well-being, and mother–infant relationship. Furthermore, it is useful for the care providers to guarantee the best preparation, health service and support to childbearing women. The Childbirth Perception Questionnaire (CPQ) is a 27-item instrument designed to assess women's perception of their childbirth experience.Objectives: to provide a first attempt to adapt the Childbirth Perception Questionnaire (CPQ) using a sample of Italian women. The psychometric properties of the scale and the quality of women's childbirth experience perception were assessed. Furthermore, the potential relation between the childbirth perception and the pain perception was explored.Design: two separate studies were conducted. In Study 1, the factor structure and the reliability of the Italian translation of CPQ were assessed. Also a quantitative analysis of respondents' mean ratings was conducted. In Study 2 the relation between the CPQ and the Italian Pain Questionnaire (IPQ) was examined.Setting: an inpatient gynaecologic–obstetric unit in a university medical centre in Italy.Participants: 195 women in Study 1 and 92 women in Study 2 completed the questionnaires.Methods: in Study 1 the translated form of CPQ was administered in the 24–48 hours post partum. In Study 2, the participants completed the Italian version of the CPQ and the Italian Pain Questionnaire (IPQ) in the same postpartum time frame. Socio-demographic details and information about women's obstetric history were collected in both Study 1 and Study 2.Findings: an exploratory factor analysis revealed a 24-item scale with a three-factor structure. The Italian version of the questionnaire was labelled Childbirth Experience Perception Scale (CEPS) and composed of three subscales: Labour and Delivery Perception, Control Perception and Change Perception. The questionnaire presented satisfactory internal consistency's indexes both in Study 1 (α coefficients range: .66–.83) and in Study 2 (α coefficients range: .70–.86). The analysis of women's mean scores on CEPS revealed a significant effect of age, social economic status, amniocentesis test, type of childbirth, childbirth preference, and disagreement between actual and preferred childbirth (p<.05). A significant correlation between the CEPS and IPQ scales was found (p<.05).Conclusion: the current research evidenced that the Italian first adaptation of the CPQ, the Childbirth Experience Perception Scale, may be a valid and reliable measure of childbirth experience perception for use in different women's health clinical outcome and studies.