From survival to positive childbirth experiences: An integrative review of facility-based maternity care in South-East Asia.
- 1School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.
- 2Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Abstract
Introduction
Women's childbirth experiences provide information for improving the quality of maternity care. This study explored opportunities and challenges related to achieving a positive childbirth experience among women giving birth in health facilities in the WHO-defined South-East Asia Region.Methods
An integrative review was conducted following the five stages described by Whittemore and Knafl. PubMed and CINAHL were searched, supplemented by reference list screening, for studies published in English between 2012 and 2023. Studies from the WHO-defined South-East Asia Region focusing on women's experiences of facility-based childbirth were included. Methodological quality was assessed using Pluye's Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool, and data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.Results
A total of 2886 records were identified. After duplicate removal and screening, 104 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 26 studies were included. The overarching theme was: 'Women prioritize survival over their childbirth experiences when giving birth in health facilities'. Three generic categories were identified: Quality of care, Emotional and physical support, and Adherence to women's rights principles. Positive experiences were associated with competent care providers, supportive companionship, effective communication, and respectful care. Challenges included poor communication, limited emotional support, inadequate resources, and experiences of mistreatment and discrimination.Conclusions
Women prioritized the survival of themselves and their newborns above their childbirth experiences. Positive childbirth experiences may be supported by high-quality care, effective communication, companionship during labor and birth, and respectful maternity care. Future research should explore strategies to strengthen respectful maternity care, emotional support, and evidence-based practices across maternity care settings.
Related
- Prevalence of person-centered maternity care during childbirth and its predictors among women who gave birth in health facilities of East Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Health workers' and administrators' experiences of duty handover on maternity wards in public health facilities in Hoima District, Uganda: a qualitative phenomenological study
- Health workers and administrators experiences of duty handover on maternity wards in public health facilities in Hoima District, Uganda: a qualitative phenomenological study
- Navigating failed induction of labor within maternity care systems: a qualitative study of women’s experiences and healthcare professionals’ perspectives
- "Just a number" - larger-bodied women's experiences of weight-centric and weight-inclusive maternity care: a national online photovoice study.
BibTeX
@article{arulpragassam2026from,
title = {{From survival to positive childbirth experiences: An integrative review of facility-based maternity care in South-East Asia.}},
author = {Evanjalin Dhamirah Arulpragassam and Meetha Kalcik and Preet Phull and Malin Bogren and Kerstin Erlandsson and Lise-Lotte Franklin and Catrin Borneskog},
journal = {European journal of midwifery},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.18332/ejm/240344},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923807},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - From survival to positive childbirth experiences: An integrative review of facility-based maternity care in South-East Asia.
AU - Evanjalin Dhamirah Arulpragassam
AU - Meetha Kalcik
AU - Preet Phull
AU - Malin Bogren
AU - Kerstin Erlandsson
AU - Lise-Lotte Franklin
AU - Catrin Borneskog
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - European journal of midwifery
DO - 10.18332/ejm/240344
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923807
AB - Introduction Women's childbirth experiences provide information for improving the quality of maternity care. This study explored opportunities and challenges related to achieving a positive childbirth experience among women giving birth in health facilities in the WHO-defined South-East Asia Region.Methods An integrative review was conducted following the five stages described by Whittemore and Knafl. PubMed and CINAHL were searched, supplemented by reference list screening, for studies published in English between 2012 and 2023. Studies from the WHO-defined South-East Asia Region focusing on women's experiences of facility-based childbirth were included. Methodological quality was assessed using Pluye's Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool, and data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.Results A total of 2886 records were identified. After duplicate removal and screening, 104 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 26 studies were included. The overarching theme was: 'Women prioritize survival over their childbirth experiences when giving birth in health facilities'. Three generic categories were identified: Quality of care, Emotional and physical support, and Adherence to women's rights principles. Positive experiences were associated with competent care providers, supportive companionship, effective communication, and respectful care. Challenges included poor communication, limited emotional support, inadequate resources, and experiences of mistreatment and discrimination.Conclusions Women prioritized the survival of themselves and their newborns above their childbirth experiences. Positive childbirth experiences may be supported by high-quality care, effective communication, companionship during labor and birth, and respectful maternity care. Future research should explore strategies to strengthen respectful maternity care, emotional support, and evidence-based practices across maternity care settings.
SN - 2585-2906
ER -