Carmen Power
College of Human and Health Sciences Swansea University
I am a primary school teacher and mother of two with an ongoing fascination in childbirth and its potential far reaching consequences for both mother and child. I am currently in my fourth year of a self funded PhD in Public Health about mothers' experiences of childbirth and infant temperament.
It is well established that newborns may suffer temporary physical effects induced by birth type and pain medication administered during childbirth, for example sleepiness and respiratory problems after pethidine, making... [ view full abstract ]
It is well established that newborns may suffer temporary physical effects induced by birth type and pain medication administered during childbirth, for example sleepiness and respiratory problems after pethidine, making feeding difficult.
However, birth experience may also affect maternal wellbeing. Mothers who experience a traumatic delivery are at increased risk of symptoms of depression and anxiety, which may in turn affect their interactions with, and perceptions of, their newborn.
However, little research has explored how childbirth experience may affect longer lasting infant temperament. The aim of the current study was to explore, using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the impact of maternal birth experience upon perceived infant temperament. In stage one, 22 mothers participated in semi structured interviews exploring their perceptions of their birth and infant temperament and how they felt the two may interact. In stage two, 1152 mothers completed a questionnaire examining their birth experience (physical and psychological), current wellbeing and infant temperament.
The findings showed a series of interactions between maternal experience and infant temperament. Overall, more traumatic deliveries (both physical and psychological) were associated with unsettled infant behaviour. Of particular interest is the impact of delivery of the head and the influence of maternal psychological experience during the birth upon infant behaviour. Implications of the findings for those working to support women during the birth and postnatally will be discussed.
The study was granted ethical permission by Swansea University Department of Psychology Ethics Committee.
The identification and examination of relevant outcomes relating to labour and birth , Emotional and spiritual aspects of labour and birthing
