Authors (including presenting author) :
Tsang WC(1), Koo YY(1), Lau SH(1), Lau LF(1), Chan LSL(1), Lau WL(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital
Introduction :
Pregnancies and births are normal and significant physiological breakthrough in a woman’s life. Midwife is often the birth attendant and midwifery imply more than just being presence at birth. Empowerment and engagement of pregnant woman in choosing her birth positions during the labour process become evidence-based approach in promoting normal birth.
Using birth chair allows labouring women to adopt different positions including sitting and hands-and knees during different stage of labour. Accompanied labour especially by her partner is encouraged to support throughout the process.
Objectives :
To evaluate the effects of using birth chair on the birth outcomes including pain relief methods used, birth experience from the couple, sense of empowerment, and satisfaction towards childbirth.
Methodology :
This was a nonrandomized quantitative pilot questionnaire for all laboring women who chose to give birth on a birth chair between the period 21/11/2021- 16/11/2024. Women’s overall, birth experience and satisfaction, pain score, labour support from midwife, and level of expectation being met were evaluated by questionnaires. Other data such as duration of labour and duration of using birth chair, perineal wound conditions, blood loss and neonatal outcomes were collected.
Result & Outcome :
Result
During the period, 21/11/2021- 16/11/2024, there were 13 women using birth chair during labour. Of which, 7 were nulliparous and 6 multiparous. Eleven women gave birth on birth chair, but 2 of them chose to return to the delivery bed before child birth.
For the 11 births on birth chair, all of them were smooth normal vaginal deliveries with no complications and good baby outcomes. The duration of birth chair use was ranged from 15 to 160 minutes and a mean of 65 minutes. Postpartum blood loss was ranged from 100 to 450ml and a mean of 282ml during the delivery. Three women had first degree perineal tears, 7 had second degree tears and 1 had third degree tear.
The overall comments on using birth chair were positive in all aspects including professional labour support, birth experience, pain management in labour, companion support, birthing environment, and comfort when using birth chair. The multiparous women delighted that they had a completely different experience than before. They perceived their husbands as more actively participating during the labour when using birth chair and thus resulted in a more positive birth experience. The nulliparous mothers also commented they felt like easier to push in the sitting position.
Conclusion
The sample size of the pilot project was small. The results could not be generalized. However, the birth chair was found to be an effective and safe alternative choice in promoting normal birth for low-risk labouring women. Midwives could discuss and encourage pregnant women to give birth out of the bed. The empowerment and engagement of women enhanced their birth experience, reduced maternal exhaustion, increase partner participation and ultimately promoted normal birth. Further studies to explore the relationship between the birth outcomes and the use of birth chair were recommended.
