The Development of a Scale to Measure Childbirth Expectations

Abstract

The hypothesized link between women's childbirth expectations and their subsequent psychological response to the experience has not been widely explored. The few studies done in this area have focused on the negative consequences of unmet expectations. Women whose expectations for childbirth are not confirmed by the actual experience evaluate themselves and the experience negatively (Kearney & Cronenwett, 1989; Leifer, 1980; Levy & McGee, 1975; Lumley & Astbury, 1980). In the postpartum period, such women experience feelings of failure, anger, guilt and grief (Grace, 1978; Lipson & Tilden, 1980; Marut, 1978). Mercer (1985) and Gottlieb and Barrett (1986) linked problems with mother-infant interaction to a negative or unanticipated birth experience. In a recent prospective study of 825 women, the assumption that women with overly high expectations are likely to be disappointed and hence dissatisfied because of unmet expectations, was questioned (Green, Coupland, & Kitzinger, 1990). It was found that high expectations do not necessarily lead to dissatisfaction. Women who had their negative expectations realized were more likely to experience poor outcomes. Without further study, the relationship between what women expect of childbirth and how they evaluate their experiences is unclear. A necessary initial step in the exploration of this relationship is the development of a reliable and valid instrument to measure childbirth expectations.