Risk factors for a negative birth experience using the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors for a negative birth experience using the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R) questionnaire.

Methods: A cross-sectional study including women who gave birth at a single tertiary hospital between February 2021 and January 1, 2022. Birth satisfaction was measured using the BSS-R questionnaire. Maternal, pregnancy, and delivery characteristics were collected. Negative birth experience was defined as a BSS-R score lower than the median. Multivariable regression analysis was used to examine the association between birth characteristics and negative birth experience.

Results: A total of 1495 women answered the questionnaire and were included in the analysis; 779 women comprised the positive birth experience group and 716 women comprised the negative birth experience group. Prior deliveries, prior abortions, and smoking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.52 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.41-0.66]; aOR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.62-0.99]; aOR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.27-0.99], respectively) were independently associated with lower risk of negative birth experience. Immigration, answering the questionnaires in person, and cesarean delivery were independently associated with increased negative birth experience risk (aOR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.01-1.86]; aOR 1.37 [95% CI, 1.04-1.79]; aOR, 1.92 [95% CI, 1.52-2.41], respectively).

Conclusion: Parity, prior abortions, and smoking were associated with a lower risk of negative birth experience, while immigration, answering questionnaires in person, and cesarean delivery were associated with a higher risk of negative birth experience.