Childbirth Experience during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s childbirth experience. It is a significant part of quality care which is affected by various factors. It may result in positive or negative shortand longterm effects on well-being, confidence and life in general. Exceptional circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic have altered many different aspects of our lives and possibly also women’s childbirth experience. Design: Single-center crosssectional cohort study using a modified version of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) as a validated instrument. Setting: Labour ward at the Department for Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Medical University Graz, Austria. Sample: 230 women undergoing labour at the Medical University Graz were included in the study. Methods: Women received the CEQ during their stay at the labour ward and were asked to return it upon discharge. Results: No major difference in birth experience subscales was found between women giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic and data collected in different countries in recent years. There was also no statistically significant difference between women having their partner absent or present at birth. Conclusion: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic being a time of global crisis, women rated their childbirth experience comparably to prepandemic data emphasizing good obstetric healthcare provided. Obstetrics & Gynecology: Open Access Eisnecker K, et al. Gynecol Obstet Open Acc 7: 160. www.doi.org/10.29011/2577-2236.100160 www.gavinpublishers.com