Dignity in Childbirth: Addressing Social-psychological Dimensions of Maternal Health Care

• In Event: 215 - Regular Session. Fertility 2

Abstract

Though there is an extensive body of research documenting the physical outcomes of women’s childbirth experiences, socio-psychological outcomes have received far less attention. Investigating women’s perception of their treatment during birth, particularly the extent to which they felt treated with dignity, contributes to a more nuanced and multi-dimensional understanding of women’s childbirth experiences. We used the nationally-representative Listening-to-Mothers I survey to examine different dimensions that impact women’s perception of dignity during childbirth (n = 1407). Drawing on the stress-buffering literature, we conceptualize birth as a potentially stressful experience and examine how informational, emotional, and instrumental resources influence women’s perception of childbirth. Results indicate that the presence of each type of resource plays an important role in women reporting birth experiences where they feel treated with dignity (defined as encompassing both autonomy and respect). This supports the utility of the stress-buffering model to address women’s birth experiences.

Authors

• Jessica Liddell, Tulane University

• Katherine M. Johnson, Tulane University