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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
The role of prenatal preparation in shaping childbirth experience: A cross-sectional study among primiparous women in Flanders
1
KU Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration - REALIFE, Leuven, Belgium
2
KU Leuven, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Leuven, Belgium
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A520
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Childbirth experience significantly impacts women’s short- and long-term well-being. Around 16–21% of women report a negative birth experience. Prenatal preparation is increasingly seen as a potential protective factor.
OBJECTIVES:
Assert if different forms of prenatal preparation - consultations with midwives or gynecologists, prenatal classes, and online information-seeking - are associated with birth experience.
METHODS:
In a cross-sectional retrospective study, 432 primiparous women reported on their birth experience (measured with CEQ 2.0) and prenatal preparation. Hierarchical linear regression was conducted in SPSS 29, controlling for birth mode, complications, location, epidural use, and time since birth.
RESULTS:
Most participants prepared for childbirth in multiple ways. On average, women visited the gynecologist 8 times and the independent midwife 3 times. They attended an average of 4 information sessions, and the majority (86.3%) also searched for information online. The average total score on the CEQ 2.0 was 3.03 (theoretical range 1–4). The number of consultations with the gynecologist (B = .002, p = .96) or midwife (B = –.04, p = .47), attended classes (B = .05, p = .41), and frequency of online information-seeking via informational websites (B = –.08, p = .09), pregnancy apps (B = .04, p = .46), or other online sources (B = –.02, p = .76) were not associated with childbirth experience. Class format (digital vs. face-to-face; individual vs. group) also showed no association. However, longer consultations with the gynecologist (B = .13, p < .01) or midwife (B = .14, p < .01) were associated with a better childbirth experience.
CONCLUSIONS:
While the quantity of preparation did not predict better birth experiences, the length of professional consultations did. Future research should explore which content components (e.g., addressing fear, coping, or partner involvement) enhance the effectiveness of prenatal preparation.
KEY MESSAGE:
Findings highlight the importance of longer, personalized prenatal consultations for improving birth experiences. Poster session 1 (Group A)
Childbirth experience significantly impacts women’s short- and long-term well-being. Around 16–21% of women report a negative birth experience. Prenatal preparation is increasingly seen as a potential protective factor.
OBJECTIVES:
Assert if different forms of prenatal preparation - consultations with midwives or gynecologists, prenatal classes, and online information-seeking - are associated with birth experience.
METHODS:
In a cross-sectional retrospective study, 432 primiparous women reported on their birth experience (measured with CEQ 2.0) and prenatal preparation. Hierarchical linear regression was conducted in SPSS 29, controlling for birth mode, complications, location, epidural use, and time since birth.
RESULTS:
Most participants prepared for childbirth in multiple ways. On average, women visited the gynecologist 8 times and the independent midwife 3 times. They attended an average of 4 information sessions, and the majority (86.3%) also searched for information online. The average total score on the CEQ 2.0 was 3.03 (theoretical range 1–4). The number of consultations with the gynecologist (B = .002, p = .96) or midwife (B = –.04, p = .47), attended classes (B = .05, p = .41), and frequency of online information-seeking via informational websites (B = –.08, p = .09), pregnancy apps (B = .04, p = .46), or other online sources (B = –.02, p = .76) were not associated with childbirth experience. Class format (digital vs. face-to-face; individual vs. group) also showed no association. However, longer consultations with the gynecologist (B = .13, p < .01) or midwife (B = .14, p < .01) were associated with a better childbirth experience.
CONCLUSIONS:
While the quantity of preparation did not predict better birth experiences, the length of professional consultations did. Future research should explore which content components (e.g., addressing fear, coping, or partner involvement) enhance the effectiveness of prenatal preparation.
KEY MESSAGE:
Findings highlight the importance of longer, personalized prenatal consultations for improving birth experiences. Poster session 1 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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