Childbirth Experience Among Primiparous Women in Latvia Using Short-Quality from Patient's Perspective (s-QPP) Questionnaire and Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ)

This study investigates factors influencing women's childbirth experiences, aligning with World Health Organization guidelines emphasizing the importance of a positive pregnancy and childbirth journey. Conducted at the RigaMaternity Hospital between June 2022 and February 2024, the research included 133 women who completed 2 postpartum questionnaires—the short version of the Quality from the Patient's Perspective at discharge, and the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) 4 weeks later. Key findings emerged from the CEQ analysis. The contract either midwife or doctor was the main factor for higher satisfaction with labor across all CEQ domains. Unplanned medical interventions such as episiotomy were associated with lower scores in the domains “Own capacity” and “Perceived safety.” In contrast, patients who experienced a spontaneous perineal tear reported significantly more positive answers on “Own capacity” and “Participation” scales. A moderate negative correlation was observed between postpartum blood loss and “Own capacity” (ρ = −0.331, P < .001). These findings highlight the central role of communication, individualized care, and minimized medical intervention in shaping women's childbirth experiences, underscoring the need for supportive and respectful maternity care practices.