Assessment of the Experiences of Iranian Women of Care During Labour and Physiological Childbirth: A Mixed Method Study

Introduction/Objective: The experience of childbirth is considered a physiological process that affects the life of women. This study was conducted to determine the experiences of physiological childbirth among Iranian women. Accurately understanding women's experiences in the cultural context of Iran will establish more practical policies for similar societies. Methods: This sequential-explanatory mixed methods study was carried out in Hamadan (Iran). The first stage of the study was cross-sectional, which was conducted on 135 women who had physiological childbirth. Data collection tools were the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) and a checklist to assess care during Physiological Childbirth. The second stage was qualitative, with the participation of 30 women, conducted one month after childbirth using in-depth individual interviews. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 and MAXQDA version 10. Results: The first stage of the study’s findings indicated that the care during labour and childbirth was in line with physiological childbirth standards. The total mean score of childbirth experience was 3.27 ± 0.56 from 4. The support of care providers (3.47 ± 0.54) and individual capacity (3.13 ± 0.55) had the highest and lowest mean scores of childbirth experiences, respectively. Four themes emerged from the qualitative data: "different emotional excitements", "service satisfaction", "pleasant experience" and "pleasant experience inhibitors". Discussion: This study highlights the importance of understanding the experiences of Iranian women during labour, emphasizing the need for supportive care practices that align with physiological childbirth principles. This approach aligns with findings that indicate supportive care, including emotional and respectful interactions, significantly influences women's childbirth experiences in Iran. Ultimately, it must be ensured that every woman's experience during childbirth is valued and supported. The commitment to upholding women's dignity in childbirth can significantly contribute to reducing disparities in maternal health outcomes in Iran and beyond. Also, incorporating women's feedback into care evaluations is essential for fostering a culture of respect and continuous improvement in maternity services, leading to better health outcomes for mothers and infants in Iran. This feedback loop is vital for creating responsive healthcare systems that prioritize women's voices, ensuring that maternity care evolves to meet their needs and expectations effectively. Conclusion: Care provided to women based on the principles of physiological childbirth, while providing the possibility of optimal care by increasing the sense of security and control, plays a key role in causing a pleasant experience of childbirth and factors, such as fear and anxiety, the improper structure of care and neglect of professional principles by caregivers prevent the pleasant experience of childbirth. The findings can play a key role in improving the training of midwives and health workers to better understand the conditions and needs of mothers. Also, by carefully analyzing the data of this study, maternal health policymakers can provide policies to reduce the risks of childbirth and improve the conditions.