Appraisals of Childbirth Experience in Hungary

• Main Authors: Ágnes Engler, Petra Aczél, Ágnes Réka Dusa, Valéria Markos, Marianna Várfalvi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
• Series: Social Sciences
• Subjects: childbirth; marital satisfaction; caesarean section
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/10/8/302

The main focus of our research is to identify the factors that impact childbirth experience positively and negatively, with special attention to the case of caesarean sections. Drawing on a telephone survey conducted over four years between 2021 and 2018, we use data on 2000 Hungarian mothers and assessed a total of 4266 births. According to the regression analysis, there is a significant association between childbirth experience and settlement type, marital status, financial situation and factors measuring social support, as well as between high-risk pregnancy and informal patient payments. Significant results relating to caesarean sections indicate that the proportion of this mode of birth is higher among women who are older, completed a higher level of education and who live in settlements of a larger type. Based on regression analysis, we can conclude that the likelihood of opting for a caesarean section increases with the mother having a degree or diploma, giving birth with support from an obstetrician of her own choice, experiencing high-risk pregnancy or being older.