This paper explores the concept of maternal labor experience, describes an assessment tool for evaluating maternal satisfaction with childbirth, and analyses the current state of maternal satisfaction and the factors influencing it. It highlights measures to improve maternal labor experience and satisfaction during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. The aim is to engage clinical care providers and offer suggestions for future research on improving delivery care.

Tiantian Shen, Xin Zhang, Na Yin, Yangyang Wang, Baolin Huang,  Ju Zhang. Improving Maternal Labor and Delivery Experience: A Review of Satisfaction Factors and Service Quality. Academic Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences (2025), Vol. 6, Issue 1: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJMHS.2025.060101.

[1] Xia P, Liu C. Thinking of evaluation theory and management practice of research on patient satisfaction[J]. West China Medical Journal, 2019, 34(12): 1431-1435.

[2] Fumagalli S, Colciago E, Antolini L, et al. Variables related to maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care in Northern Italy[J/OL]. Women and Birth, 2021, 34(2): 154-161.

[3] Goodman P, Mackey M C, Tavakoli A S. Factors related to childbirth satisfaction[J/OL]. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2004, 46(2): 212-219.

[4] Ponti L, Smorti M, Ghinassi S, et al. Can a traumatic childbirth experience affect maternal psychopathology and postnatal attachment bond?[J/OL]. Current Psychology, 2022, 41(3): 1237-1242.

[5] Shorey S, Yang Y Y, Ang E. The impact of negative childbirth experience on future reproductive decisions: A quantitative systematic review[J/OL]. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2018, 74(6): 1236-1244.

[6] Liao P. The study of maternal childbirth experience of spontaneous labor[D]. Hefei, Anhui Medical University, 2016.

[7] Hildingsson I, Johansson M, Karlström A, et al. Factors associated with a positive birth experience: an exploration of swedish women’s experiences[J/OL]. International Journal of Childbirth, 2013, 3(3): 153-164.

[8] National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. National Health Commission's Notice on Printing and Distributing the "Maternal and Infant Safety Action Enhancement Plan (2021-2025)" [EB/OL]. (2021-10-09) [2024-11-25]. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2021-10/15/content_5642740.

[9] Bertucci V, Boffo M, Mannarini S, et al. Assessing the perception of the childbirth experience in Italian women: A contribution to the adaptation of the childbirth perception questionnaire[J/OL]. Midwifery, 2012, 28(2): 265-274.

[10] Christiaens W, Bracke P. Assessment of social psychological determinants of satisfaction with childbirth in a cross-national perspective[J/OL]. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2007, 7(1): 26.

[11] Linder-Pelz S. Toward a theory of patient satisfaction[J/OL]. Social Science & Medicine, 1982, 16(5): 577-582.

[12] Robinson P N, Salmon P, Yentis S M. Maternal satisfaction[J]. International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia, 1998, 7: 32-37.

[13] Caballero P, Delgado-García B E, Orts-Cortes I, et al. Validation of the Spanish version of mackey childbirth satisfaction rating scale[J/OL]. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2016, 16(1): 78.

[14] Janssen P A, Dennis C L, Reime B. Development and psychometric testing of the Care in Obstetrics: Measure for Testing Satisfaction (COMFORTS) scale[J]. Research in Nursing & Health, 2006, 29(1): 51-60.

[15] Smith L F P. Development of a multidimensional labour satisfaction questionnaire: dimensions, validity, and internal reliability[J/OL]. Quality in Health Care, 2001, 10(1): 17-22.

[16] Zhu X, Wang Y, Zhou H, et al. Adaptation of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) in China: A multisite cross-sectional study[J/OL]. PLOS ONE, 2019, 14(4): e0215373.

[17] González-Morcillo M, Tiburcio-Palos E, Cordovilla-Guardia S, et al. Childbirth satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic in a hospital in southwestern spain[J/OL]. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022, 19(15): 9636.

[18] Pantoja L, Weeks F H, Ortiz J, et al. Dimensions of childbirth care associated with maternal satisfaction among low-risk Chilean women[J/OL]. Health Care for Women International, 2020, 41(1): 89-100.

[19] Liu Y, Li T, Guo N, et al. Women’s experience and satisfaction with midwife-led maternity care: a cross-sectional survey in China[J/OL]. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2021, 21(1): 151.

[20] Zhou X, Zhou D, Jiang N. Effects of labor analgesia on delivery satisfaction and second child willingness of primipara[J/OL]. Clinical Medical Research and Practice, 2022, 7(30): 138-141.

[21] Liang M. Effect of delivery ball assisted delivery and that on maternal satisfaction degree in active delivery period[J/OL]. Smart Healthcare, 2021, 7(33): 51-53.

[22] Navas Arrebola R, Peteiro Mahía L, Blanco López S, et al. Women’s satisfaction with childbirth and postpartum care and associated variables[J/OL]. Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP, 2021, 55: e03720.

[23] Lazzerini M, Mariani I, Semenzato C, et al. Association between maternal satisfaction and other indicators of quality of care at childbirth: a cross-sectional study based on the WHO standards[J/OL]. BMJ Open, 2020, 10(9): e037063.

[24] An S, Sun S. Effect of delivery mode on Chinese women’s maternal satisfaction: a moderated mediation model of support from medical staff and women’s self-assessment of health[J/OL]. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2023, 44(1): 2238892.

[25] Tadele M, Bikila D, Fite R O, et al. Maternal satisfaction towards childbirth Service in Public Health Facilities at Adama town, Ethiopia[J/OL]. Reproductive Health, 2020, 17(1): 60.

[26] Bains S, Sundby J, Lindskog B V, et al. Satisfaction with maternity care among recent migrants: an interview questionnaire-based study[J/OL]. BMJ Open, 2021, 11(7): e048077.

[27] Li Y, Song L, Wei J, et al. Influencing factors of childbirth experience in women undergoing vaginal birth[J]. Chinese Journal of Woman and Child Health Research, 2018, 29(9): 1107-1111.

[28] Shen Y. The impact of midwife-led responsibility nursing model on primiparous women's self-efficacy, sense of control during childbirth, and pregnancy outcomes[J]. Chinese General Practice Nursing, 2018, 16(28): 3504-3506.

[29] Wang L. Analysis on present situation and influencing factors of parturient childbirth experience in natural childbirth[D]. Wuhan, Wuhan Polytechnic University, 2022.

[30] Larkin P, Begley C M, Devane D. Women’s experiences of labour and birth: an evolutionary concept analysis[J/OL]. Midwifery, 2009, 25(2): e49-e59.

[31] Song X, Zhao Y, Li H. Construction of the theoretical framework of maternal nursing service satisfaction based on grounded theory[J]. Nursing Journal, 2023, 38(1): 69-73.

[32] Citak Bilgin N, Ak B, Ayhan F, et al. Effect of childbirth education on the perceptions of childbirth and breastfeeding self-efficacy and the obstetric outcomes of nulliparous women[J/OL]. Health Care for Women International, 2020, 41(2): 188-204.

[33] Johnson N L, Scott S F, Brann M. "Our birth experiences are what binds us": Women's motivations for storytelling about birth to build motherwisdom[J/OL]. Communication Studies, 2020, 71(4): 649-668.

[34] Neucom Z A, Prandl K J. Exploring western Australian women’s experiences of sharing positive birth stories[J/OL]. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2022, 22(1): 978.

[35] Zhu X, Yao J, Lu J, et al. Midwifery policy in contemporary and modern China: From the past to the future[J/OL]. Midwifery, 2018, 66: 97-102.

[36] Ylilehto E, Palomäki O, Toivonen E, et al. Twin birth: The maternal experience[J/OL]. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 2022, 33: 100766.

[37] Christiaens W, Verhaeghe M, Bracke P. Childbirth expectations and experiences in Belgian and Dutch models of maternity care[J/OL]. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 2008, 26(4): 309-322.

[38] Gu C, Ding Y, Zhang Z, et al. Evaluation of the effectiveness of birth plan for pregnant women[J]. Chinese Journal of Nursing, 2016, 51(12): 1461-1465.

[39] Miller S, Abalos E, Chamillard M, et al. Beyond too little, too late and too much, too soon: a pathway towards evidence-based, respectful maternity care worldwide[J/OL]. The Lancet, 2016, 388(10056): 2176-2192.

[40] Zhu C, Wang X, Gu C, et al. Effects of an evidence-based childbirth care scheme on laboring women's delivery outcomes and childbirth experience[J]. Nursing Journal, 2021, 36(16): 29-32.

[41] Yu C L, Tao H, Wang X J, et al. Investigation on early essential newborn care practices in 124 baby-friendly hospitals[J]. Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 2023, 26(1): 59-64.

[42] Yu R. A study on the self-efficacy of spousal support for breastfeeding and its influencing factors among parturient women[D]. Beijing, Peking Union Medical College, 2023.