The Effect of Redesigning of Childbirth Room on Mothers’ Satisfaction

Background: Since women refer to the maternity hospital, they undergo vaginal examination for the investigation of cervical dilation, cervical effacement, fetal head position, and amniotic membrane status. Through this way, the health care team can monitor the delivery process and make proper decisions based on the women’s conditions. However, this can cause discomfort and dissatisfaction among women. One of the main goals of health systems is moving towards increasing patient satisfaction. This study aims to assess the effect of redesigning of childbirth room on mothers’ satisfaction. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 128 term pregnant women (37-42 weeks of gestation) referred to the maternity ward of Amir-Al-Momenin hospital, Gerash, Fars province, Iran. The participants were divided into two groups of 64. In the control group, women were examined vaginally in the previous childbirth room (without a new design) and in the intervention group, women were examined in a room with a new design. One day after delivery, satisfaction was evaluated in both groups using a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire. Results: The results of comparing the mean rank of satisfaction and the mean satisfaction score, one day after delivery, between the two groups showed that in the intervention group there was a higher level of satisfaction than the control group. Results showed that pregnant women’s satisfaction with a vaginal examination in the intervention group was higher than control group one day after childbirth. Conclusion: The results indicated that redesigning of childbirth room, patient centric care, and privacy could improve pregnant women’s satisfaction with the vaginal examination.