The experience of childbirth in a supervised setting in the province of Essaouira, Morocco: what is the reality?

Abstract

A positive childbirth experience is fundamental for high-quality maternal care. However, many women endure disrespectful behaviours during this pivotal moment. In Morocco, few studies have measured this experience, and the factors influencing it remain inadequately documented. We conducted mixed method research into women’s experiences of childbirth in a supervised setting in the province of Essaouira between April and December 2021. Our survey, based on a questionnaire, sought the opinions of 240 women from eight randomly chosen health centres. In addition, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 20 women, 47 healthcare professionals, and four administrative heads. The quantitative data underwent descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses, while the interviews were analysed using a thematic content approach. The findings reveal that 59.2% of the participants had an unfavourable experience during their last childbirth. Among them, the majority lamented non-consensual care (86.7%), a lack of respect for their privacy (45.4%), and verbal abuse (25%). The positive childbirth experience was primarily associated with the quality of the childbirth environment, support for breastfeeding, cleanliness of the facilities, the type of institution (private), and the absence of medical complications during labour. The interviews disclosed that a lack of motivation among healthcare professionals, a deficiency in appropriate continuous training, and organisational and managerial gaps adversely influenced positive childbirth experiences. Our study underscores the pressing need for continuous training focused on patient respect, ethics, and professional conduct, highlighting the importance of a motivating policy for healthcare workers, especially in the public sector. DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2272712.