Mothers’ perceptions of their Birth Experience in Greece: Could We Do Any Better Than That? Analysis of the Babies Born Better Survey for Greece

Analysis of the Babies Born Better Survey for Greece

Abstract

Background

More than 100 years research and clinical experience in prenatal psychology/ psychotherapy and relevant fields have shown that the way we are gestated and born is closely associated with the quality of life, psychosomatic health and relational quality on a personal and a global level. The way we care for the birthing mother and the newborn is an indication of the well-being of the society as a whole. The mode of birth is an indicator of a number of birth-related conditions which can lead to peace and health or the opposite. In alignment with WHO supporting that “every mother and child counts”, in the years 2014 and 2015 B3 survey tool was designed to explore women’s experiences of maternity care across Europe and map what best works for whom, where. This paper aims to present the results of the analysis of the data collected, as concerns Greece.

Method

The research was based on the B3 (Babies Born Better) survey which was initially launched in 2014 as an online survey on survey Monkey. The survey, which was translated also in Greek, consisted of 24 questions, a mixture of yes/ no, multiple choice and free text responses, divided into six sections to explore how birthing women experience their labour in the participating countries and collect their suggestions for positive change.  Consequently, it was a mixture of quantitative questions related to demographics, clinical factors and type of care/ place of birth and qualitative questions in the form of open response questions inviting the participating women to express their views and voice their suggestions. The Greek responses were identified, properly analyzed and the results are presented here.

Results

There were 2089 respondents from most big cities of Greece, giving birth to their children in Maternity Hospitals (the vast majority) or at home (the big minority) with the support of both obstetricians and midwives. The feedback is that on the whole, birthing mothers had a positive experience but there is still a lot that needs to be improved as concerns the birth procedures, the birth environment, breastfeeding and newborn support and the quality of relationship dynamics between the carers and the mothers/ newborns.

Conclusions

Mothers highly value feeling secure when birthing and be treated by knowledgeable and experienced caring staff. They also appreciate a quiet, home-like environment in which thoughtful behaviors and procedures can be presented by updated, honest expert medical and managerial staff, who encourage mother-newborn bonding and sincerely support breastfeeding. They also ask for training support as to how to take care of their child in the days after birth. Finally, they speak about respectful care provided to the highest interests of the whole family in which they are included as decision makers having been asked and informed before any medical procedures.