Vaginal birth without epidural anesthesia and being accompanied during labour results in happier mothers

An article published in the journal Nutrición Hospitalaria (Hospital Nutrition) reveals that the attitude of healthcare personnel, along with starting early breast-feeding, are another two factors that help in increasing the mothers' level of satisfaction

The research was carried out by scientists from the University of Granada Nursing Dept. and the "San Cecilio" University Hospital (Granada, Spain)

Mothers who have a vaginal birth without epidural anesthesia and who are accompanied by a family member during the birth are happier with the experience of bringing a new baby into the world than other women. Likewise, the attitude of healthcare personnel and starting early breast-feeding are another two factors that help in increasing the mothers' level of satisfaction.

These results are revealed in an article published in the journal Nutrición Hospitalaria (Hospital Nutrition) by researchers from the the University of Granada, the San Cecilio University Hospital (Granada, Spain), the Cienfuegos University of Medical Science (Cuba) and the Eastern Andalusia Health Research Foundation (FIBAO). The aim of the research was to identify a mother's level of satisfaction regarding attention given to her birth, who was there during the birth and the duration of breast-feeding.

For the research, scientists studied 60 mothers out of a sample of 2,800 women who gave birth at the San Cecilio University Hospital between August 2011 and August 2012. The mothers were monitored 24 hours after having given birth (still in hospital) and then 14 days later, by phone. After 3 months, the baby's feeding regime was recorded.

Satisfied Mothers

The results showed that, generally, the overall satisfaction level of the population studied about birth was high. The scientists discovered that early breast-feeding (that is, during the first 24 hours after birth) and a eutocic delivery (natural birth) without epidural anesthesia are two parameters that have a very positive effect on the mothers' level of satisfaction.

The principal author of this study is the University of Granada's Professor of Nursing, Maria Jose Aguilar Cordero. She explains that "the mother being happy or not during birth is related to the duration of breast-feeding. There is a greater percentage of mothers who are still breast-feeding after 3 months if they have been happy with the birth, compared to other mothers who were less satisfied with their delivery".

Aguilar Cordero also points out that identifying the mother's level of satisfaction during birth "helps us to increase the level of assistance, makes it possible to continually improve weak points and strengthen the strong points identified". Furthermore, she adds that women that are more satisfied with their delivery and breast-feeding are less likely to suffer from postpartum depression.