Emotional Support During Childbirth and Stress
Author Information
Author(s): Zaneta Thayer, Anna Samsonov, Charlotte Farewell, Theresa Gildner
Primary Institution: Dartmouth College
Hypothesis
Does the absence of emotional support during childbirth increase perceived stress?
Conclusion
Not having desired emotional support during labor significantly increases childbirth stress.
Supporting Evidence
- Individuals who gave birth alone reported significantly higher childbirth stress.
- Each additional emotional support person present was associated with lower perceived stress.
- Virtual support did not reduce childbirth stress compared to in-person support.
Takeaway
When moms give birth without the people they want for support, they feel a lot more stressed. It's really important to have someone there to help.
Methodology
An online survey of pregnant individuals in the USA assessed perceived childbirth stress and emotional support during labor.
Potential Biases
The sample was skewed towards white, highly educated individuals, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Limitations
The study used convenience sampling, which may not represent the broader population, and relied on self-reported data.
Participant Demographics
Mean maternal age was 31.8 years; most participants were married and had at least a college degree.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI for various models reported
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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