Birthing positions and mother`s satisfaction with childbirth: a cross-sectional study on the relevance of self determination

Considering the inconclusive evidence regarding the clinical benefits of specific birthing positions, emphasis has been placed on adhering to women’s preferences during the second stage of labour. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the association between birthing position, the freedom to choose a birth position during the second stage of labour, and women’s subjective satisfaction with childbirth.

We performed a cross-sectional survey of women 8 or 12 months after a vaginal birth in a hospital. The women were recruited via two cooperating health insurance companies. Multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the strength of the association between birthing position and maternal satisfaction with childbirth, with a particular focus on interactions with self-determination.

In total, the data from 761 women were analysed. The supine position was the most frequently reported birthing position in the second stage of labour at 77.5%. Notably, 39.0% and 30.5% of the women who gave birth in the dorsal and lateral supine positions, respectively, stated that the birth position was not chosen voluntarily. The regression models show a significant negative association between supine birthing position and satisfaction with childbirth, which is significantly related to self-determination. The most common reason for the adoption of a specific birthing position was instructions from medical staff.

The data provide insight into the perceived satisfaction with childbirth depending on the birthing position, whereby the relevance of self-determination is particularly evident. At the same time, self-determination is often not given, which is associated with reduced birth satisfaction.