‘We know from previous research that a negative childbirth experience for a woman can have adverse effects on the whole family,’ Holopainen says. ‘For example, contact with the baby can be stressful for the mother because the baby reminds her of the birth.’ However, it was unclear whether a negative childbirth experience, besides adverse effects such as maternal stress, also affects the mother's parenting behaviour or the parent-child relationship. Holopainen: ‘In addition, it was also unclear whether past experiences, for example from childhood or a previous traumatic childbirth experience, affect how women experience childbirth.’
To better protect women from negative childbirth experiences and their consequences, Holopainen examined women's experiences that may play a role in their childbirth experience and the consequences of a negative childbirth. She did so using data from a longitudinal study that has been tracking mothers since 2009, Generations2. She also used data from an online survey to investigate how women with a previous traumatic childbirth experience perceive their next childbirth. In addition to questionnaires, Holopainen also used interviews with mothers about their experiences with childhood caregivers, and data from observations of parenting behaviour and parent-child relationships.
‘This study shows that previous experiences do not have to be a risk for a new childbirth,’ Holopainen says. ‘It was thought that adverse childhood experiences or previous traumatic childbirth would make women vulnerable to a negative childbirth experience, but this was not found in this study.’
However, making conscious choices during childbirth, for example, choosing to have a home birth, did appear to be protective for women with previous traumatic childbirth experiences. In addition, unlike previous studies, this study found no association between negative childbirth experiences and maternal parenting behaviour or the parent-child relationship. A negative childbirth experience did correlate with more stress for the mother and partner.
‘For pregnant women, it can be nice to know that unpleasant childhood experiences or a previous traumatic childbirth do not need to be a risk for a new childbirth,’ Holopainen explains. ‘But to prevent stress for both parents, it is important to ensure that women do not experience their childbirth negatively. Support from one's surroundings has an important protective role during childbirth and parenthood.’