Impact of Hospital Referrals on Childbirth Satisfaction in Belgium and the Netherlands
Author Information
Author(s): Wendy Christiaens, Anneleen Gouwy, Piet Bracke
Primary Institution: Department of Sociology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Hypothesis
A referral will result in lower satisfaction with childbirth, especially in Belgium.
Conclusion
Home births lead to higher satisfaction, but once a referral to the hospital is necessary, satisfaction drops and ends up lower than for hospital births planned in advance.
Supporting Evidence
- Belgian women are more satisfied than Dutch women with childbirth.
- Home births are more satisfying than hospital births.
- Referrals to the hospital negatively impact satisfaction, especially for Dutch women.
Takeaway
Women who plan to give birth at home are generally happier than those who give birth in a hospital, but if they have to go to the hospital unexpectedly, they feel less happy about their experience.
Methodology
Two questionnaires were filled out by women at 30 weeks of pregnancy and within two weeks after childbirth, measuring satisfaction with childbirth.
Potential Biases
Response rates varied, and midwives and obstetricians may have been selective in recruiting participants.
Limitations
The study is based on a convenience sample from two cities, which may limit generalizability, and the timing of satisfaction measurement may affect responses.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 605 women, with a mean age of 31 years, 98.7% married or living as married, and varying levels of education.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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