Continuum of classifications and categories of women’s birth satisfaction

Table 4: Continuum of classifications and categories of women's birth satisfaction.

(1) Exceptional
Categories
(1a) Considerably better than planned by the mother.
(1b) Good management of planned and known special needs of mother/baby.

(2) Good
Category
(2a) Goes according to plan with appropriate pain relief and no interventions/Planned interventions (e.g., planned Caesarian section)/Patient/family centered and supportive care provided.

(3) Satisfactory
Categories
(3a) Birth too quick/Birth progressed too quickly to follow plan, give appropriate pain relief, or to explain events, but situation recognized by maternity staff and parents.
(3b) Poor pain control/episodes of distress, but supportive patient-centered maternity staff.
(3c) Has complications, e.g., tear, episiotomy, ventouse, induced, section, distressed baby, mother distressed/Situation well managed and recognized by mother and maternity staff, with patient-centered supportive care provided.

(4) Unsatisfactory
Categories
(4a) Birth progressed quicker than staff anticipated/Mother/parents not listened too/Situation not recognized by maternity staff.
(4b) Situation, progression, complications/interventions not well managed by maternity staff creating distressed parents who feel unsupported/Pressure on maternity beds and not able to access labour ward in a timely fashion/Complications arising.