The birth experience and subsequent maternal caregiving attitudes and behavior: a birth cohort study

A. F. Bell, L. H. Rubin, J. M. Davis, J. Golding, O. A. Adejumo, C. S. Carter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)
253 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Optimal maternal caregiving is critical for children’s healthy development, yet quality of maternal caregiving may be influenced by a negative birth experience. We examined whether the birth experience was associated with maternal caregiving attitudes and behavior throughout the first year. We conducted secondary analysis of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children birth cohort on perinatal data. The birth experience was assessed using self-report data on level of support in labor. Maternal caregiving variables were self-report maternal attitudes at one and eight postnatal months, and observed maternal behavior at 12 postnatal months. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for critical covariates at one (N = 4389), eight (N = 4580), and 12 (N = 842) postnatal months. Feeling supported in labor was associated with a report of “immediately falling in love” with one’s baby after birth, surveyed at 1 month (adjusted OR 1.41 [95% CI 1.20–1.65]), and with more positive parenting scores at 8 months (adjusted OR 1.56 [95% CI 1.36–1.79]), but not with more positive observed maternal behavior at 12 months. Additional risk factors were identified. Our findings suggest that we may be able to modify the risk of poor postnatal maternal caregiving by supporting women in labor and facilitating a positive birth experience.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)613-620
Number of pages8
JournalArchives of Women's Mental Health
Volume22
Early online date23 Oct 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2019

Research Groups and Themes

  • ALSPAC

Keywords

  • ALSPAC
  • Birth experience
  • Maternal attitude
  • Maternal behavior
  • Parenting
  • Systematic review

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