Comparison of Clinical Outcomes and Postpartum Psychological Status Scores in Primiparous Women Delivered with Family Members in a Family-Based Room vs Women Delivered in a General Ward.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the impact of the use of a family-based delivery room on primiparous women's clinical outcomes and psychological well-being during childbirth. It addressed the growing interest in family-centered care and assessed the effectiveness of a family-based room in providing a supportive environment for delivery.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and postpartum scores regarding the psychological status of primiparous women who delivered with their families in a home-based labor ward and women who delivered in a general labor ward.

METHODS: In this retrospective study, 158 primiparous women, recruited between October 2021 and July 2022, were categorized into 2 groups based on their choice of delivery room: a family group (n=77) and a general group (n=81). Baseline data, indicators related to maternal role adjustment, pregnancy outcomes, psychological status, self-efficacy and quality of life (QoL) data were collected and compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS: More women in the family group were well- and generally adapted than in the general group, and fewer were poorly adapted than in the general group (P < .05). There were more spontaneous deliveries in the family group than in the general group, and fewer cesarean deliveries, postpartum hemorrhages and cases of neonatal asphyxia than in the general group; lower postpartum Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores and higher Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration (APGAR) scores than in the general group, with notably better pregnancy outcomes in the family group (P < .05). Postpartum State Anxiety Inventory (S-AI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores in the family group (50.25±1.58 and 8.02±0.35, respectively) were remarkably lower than in the general group (59.89±1.98 and 9.84±0.69, respectively) (P < .05). The family group exhibited a postpartum score of self-efficacy higher compared with the general group (P < .05). The QoL score in the family group was noticeably higher than in the general group (P < .05). The time of colostrum secretion in the family group was significantly earlier compared with the control group, and milk production within 48 hours postpartum was significantly higher in the family group (P < .05).

CONCLUSION: The family-based delivery room model significantly enhanced maternal role adaptation, increased the rate of spontaneous delivery, reduced the risk for cesarean conversion and diminished adverse maternal and infant outcomes. In addition, it substantially improved postpartum psychological status and positively influenced maternal self-efficacy and QoL. These findings hold significant reference value for maternal care practices.