The relationship between spiritual health and birth experience among pregnant women in Eastern Iran

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth can be considered as an opportunity to expand thoughts or renew feeling on spiritual beliefs. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between spiritual health and childbirth experience among Iranian pregnant women. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 250 pregnant women referred to the Labor, Delivery and Recovery Room (LDR) of Amir al-Momenin Hospital in Zabol (Eastern Iran) for childbirth. Non-random convenience sampling method was used to collect the samples. Data collection tools included a personal characteristics questionnaire, childbirth experience questionnaire (CEQ), and spiritual health questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using statistical tests, such as Pearson correlation test, independent t-test, and One-Way ANOVA. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: The results of present study showed that the mean age of pregnant women was 25.66 ± 5.73 years, with their mean score of birth experience being 64.97 ± 4.62 and their mean score of spiritual health being 88.89 ± 7.1. The results also showed a statistically significant relationship between birth experience and spiritual health (R =1, P=0.007). Conclusion: In this study, as the score of spiritual well-being increased, the score of childbirth experience also increased. Thus, we suggest the findings of this study to be used as a basis for further research in other regions of the country and among a more diverse population of mothers with different backgrounds and cultures.

Keywords

• spiritual health
• birth
• parturition
• pregnant women