Women’s Experiences During Childbirth: A Systematic Review

Background: In the context of reproductive health, women have the right to positive birth experiences that safeguard both physical integrity and emotional well-being. Within this framework, we conducted a systematic review aiming to synthesize evidence on women’s experiences -both positive and non-positive- during childbirth in formal healthcare settings, classify these experiences, describe their prevalence, and assess their impact on women’s self-perceived health. Methods: The protocol was prior registered, and the review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, and Google Scholar. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Results: A total of 40 studies from 14 countries were included, encompassing 80,295 women. Findings revealed a broad spectrum of positive and non-positive experiences, latter with prevalence rates ranging from 4.5% to 61.3%. Moreover, 7 of the 40 studies (n = 50,395 women) documented instances of disrespectful and abusive care practices. Reported prevalence ranged from 2.4% to 83.4% for non-consensual procedures, 0.8% to 24.4% for non-dignified care, and 5.4% to 48% for abandonment of care. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that there is room for improvement related to the childbirth experience. Promoting positive birth experiences and sensitizing healthcare professionals to improve respectful maternity care are key priorities. In this regard, adopting a patient-centered model may represent a paradigm shift, empowering women to make informed decisions and enhancing maternal health outcomes.