Authors: Hellmers, Claudia; Schuecking, Beate

Source: Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, Volume 26, Number 4, November 2008 , pp. 351-372(22)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate which mode of birth first-time mothers in Germany and in the USA prefer and how this desire is related to maternal well-being and sense of coherence. The paper describes emotional well-being postpartum in relationship to mode of birth. For data collection a prospective cohort study was conducted in both countries. A self-administered questionnaire including validated instruments (WHO-5 Well-Being Index, Sense of Coherence Scale and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) was used. Results showed that only a few of the pregnant women in Germany and the USA preferred to deliver by caesarean section. There was a relationship between women's well-being, women's sense of coherence and the preferred mode of birth. The majority of women who wanted a caesarean section delivered in this way. No relationship was found between women's well-being and the type of birth experienced. Well-being in both samples generally decreased after giving birth, but there was a difference between German and American first-time mothers on the postpartum well-being and depression scores. German mothers had a higher postnatal quality of life and lower postnatal depression scores. To give families the opportunity for a healthy start, midwives and obstetricians should try to enhance women's well-being and they should give some thought to health professionals' decision-making processes. Expanded postpartum care might have an impact on women's depression scores.

Keywords: Caesarean section; well-being; postnatal depression; sense of coherence; caesarean section on request; cross-national study

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02646830802408506

Affiliations: 1: FB 08/ Health Sciences/Maternal Health, University of Osnabrueck, Germany

Publication date: 2008-11-01

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