TY - JOUR
T1 - Visualization of contractions
T2 - Evaluation of a new experience design concept to enhance the childbirth experience
AU - Thijssen, Kirsten M. J.
AU - Kierkels, Jeanine J. M.
AU - van Meurs, Andrea
AU - Verhoeven, Corine J.
AU - van der Hout-van der Jagt, M. Beatrijs
AU - Oei, S. Guid
N1 - Funding Information: This research was carried out within the e/MTIC collaboration. The study was partially funded by Philips. The prototype system was installed and loaned by Philips for the duration of the study. Funding Information: The Máxima Medical Centre and referring midwife practices: Kinderrijk, Puur, De Boreling, Gestel-Strijp, Ortus, Groepspraktijk Verloskundigen Veldhoven, Tongelre, In de Kempen, Annemoon, Vivre't Noorden, de Bron. Hans Weda supported this study by means of statistical advice. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Birth published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
PY - 2023/12
Y1 - 2023/12
N2 - Background: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an innovative design proposition intended to help enhance the childbirth experience. The innovation consists of a smartphone application for birth preparation during pregnancy with information and coaching, in addition to a wall projection at the labor ward that visualizes the progress of labor based on uterine monitoring data. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled clinical pilot study. Singleton pregnant people pursuing a vaginal birth were recruited between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation and allocated to the intervention group (mobile application during the third trimester and wall projection at the labor ward) or to care as usual. Childbirth expectations and experiences were measured with validated questionnaires, which were completed at 32 and 36 weeks of gestation, immediately after birth, and at 4 weeks postpartum. Quantitative outcomes were analyzed and feedback about the proposition was evaluated using qualitative methods. Results: The qualitative feedback from patients was largely positive; however, we could not detect any significant differences between the intervention and control groups about fear of childbirth and other outcome measures. Conclusion: In this pilot study, we evaluated a new experience design proposition for pregnancy and childbirth. This study generated data that will help to further improve and evaluate similar innovations in the future. This application may facilitate participatory care, promoting active involvement of parents in the healthcare processes of pregnancy and childbirth.
AB - Background: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an innovative design proposition intended to help enhance the childbirth experience. The innovation consists of a smartphone application for birth preparation during pregnancy with information and coaching, in addition to a wall projection at the labor ward that visualizes the progress of labor based on uterine monitoring data. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled clinical pilot study. Singleton pregnant people pursuing a vaginal birth were recruited between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation and allocated to the intervention group (mobile application during the third trimester and wall projection at the labor ward) or to care as usual. Childbirth expectations and experiences were measured with validated questionnaires, which were completed at 32 and 36 weeks of gestation, immediately after birth, and at 4 weeks postpartum. Quantitative outcomes were analyzed and feedback about the proposition was evaluated using qualitative methods. Results: The qualitative feedback from patients was largely positive; however, we could not detect any significant differences between the intervention and control groups about fear of childbirth and other outcome measures. Conclusion: In this pilot study, we evaluated a new experience design proposition for pregnancy and childbirth. This study generated data that will help to further improve and evaluate similar innovations in the future. This application may facilitate participatory care, promoting active involvement of parents in the healthcare processes of pregnancy and childbirth.
KW - childbirth experience
KW - continuous support
KW - data visualization
KW - experience design proposition
KW - participatory care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85166958250&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12754
DO - https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12754
M3 - Article
C2 - 37550881
SN - 0730-7659
VL - 50
SP - 1025
EP - 1033
JO - BIRTH
JF - BIRTH
IS - 4
ER -