Journal article

Publication year: 2000

Pages: 482-490

Journal: Journal of Perinatal Medicine

Volume number: 28

Issue number: 6

ISSN: 0300-5577

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1515/JPM.2000.065

Publisher: De Gruyter Brill

Abstract: 

Aims: The study investigated factors related to the expectations and wishes concerning delivery of expectant parents.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire on the relevant aspects of delivery was developed, pre-tested, and administered to 545 expectant mothers (n = 336) and fathers (n = 209) attending open house informational events at 3 hospitals around Giessen, Germany.

Results: Response rate was 96.3%. Three major areas of interest were identified and converted into scales: "management and obstetrical equipment" (ME; alpha = 0.81), " medical standards" (MS; alpha = 0.82), and "hospital conveniences" (HC; alpha = 0.78). Preferences of participants were influenced by age, gender and parity, as well as by different levels of state- and trait-anxiety. Expectant fathers focused more on BC of the hospital whereas ME, as well as MS, were more important to pregnant women, especially older women from rural areas with high state and/or trait anxiety (p less than or equal to 0.05). However, MS were also found to be important for younger, nulliparous women with at risk pregnancy. Parents of high-risk pregnancies did not emphasize their wishes for ME (p less than or equal to 0.05).

Conclusion: Fashionable obstetrical equipment of delivery rooms, high medical standards, the reputation of the hospital, and certain conveniences are important issues for expectant parents. However, their importance varies with the above mentioned factors.

Harvard Citation style: Münstedt, K., von Georgi, R., Eichel, V., Kullmer, U. and Zygmunt, M. (2000) Wishes and expectations of pregnant women and their partners concerning delivery, Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 28(6), pp. 482-490. https://doi.org/10.1515/JPM.2000.065

APA Citation style: Münstedt, K., von Georgi, R., Eichel, V., Kullmer, U., & Zygmunt, M. (2000). Wishes and expectations of pregnant women and their partners concerning delivery. Journal of Perinatal Medicine. 28(6), 482-490. https://doi.org/10.1515/JPM.2000.065