RESPECT - Systematic Survey on Subjective Birth Experience

Table of contents

1. 1. RESPECT
      1. Director of studies
   2. Network partner
   3. Study team
      1. Scientists
      2. Further team
      3. Former employees

RESPECT

While most mothers and fathers experience the birth of a child as a positive experience, there is a relevant proportion for whom childbirth is a negative and sometimes even traumatic event. In addition to various health and socio-economic factors, the interaction between the woman giving birth, the person accompanying her and the midwives and gynecologists also plays an important role.

The aim of the RESPECT project ("A Prospective Mixed-Methods-REsearchProject on SubjectiveBirth Experience and PErson-centred Carein ParenTsand Obstetric Health Care Staff") is to investigate the subjective birth experience of (expectant) mothers and their partners before, during and after the birth, particularly in relation to the role of obstetric staff.

As part of the quantitative main study _{RESPECTPARENTS}, (expectant) parents are surveyed at four measurement points (T1: in (late) pregnancy, T2: 8 weeks after the birth, T3: 6 months after the birth, T4: 24 months after the birth) using online questionnaires (T1, T3 and T4) and a structured telephone interview (T2). We are interested in the subjective birth experience and related factors, such as mental health, attachment to the child or relationship satisfaction. Recruitment for the main study was completed in December 2024 with 1,693 participating (expectant) mothers and 731 partners from the Dresden area. In April 2025, the survey already started at the T4 measurement point (2 years after the birth).

In addition to this quantitative study, a qualitative sub-study(_{RESPECTPARENTS-TALK}) was conducted on the role of obstetric staff in the birth experience from the parents' perspective. For this purpose, guided interviews were conducted with 14 mothers and 14 partners (subsample from _{RESPECTPARENTS}) on their experiences during childbirth.

Another branch of the study(_RESPECTSTAFF) examines the perspective of obstetric staff. By January 2025, a total of 27 people working in obstetrics across Germany were asked in qualitative interviews about their own role in the parental birth experience and about their knowledge and attitudes towards person-centered obstetrics.

RESPECT is an interdisciplinary joint project of the MSH Medical School Hamburg (Research Group Epidemiology and Women's & Family Health) and the Medical Faculty of TU Dresden (Clinic and Polyclinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology at Dresden University Hospital) in cooperation with the Institute and Polyclinic for Occupational and Social Medicine (IPAS). The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG; link to project profile)

News on publications and other activities of the RESPECT team can be found under Publications of the FB6 or on our Facebook account Respect Study, Instagram account @respect_studie or LinkedIn account.

Student Assistants and research interns are regularly sought to support the RESPECT study team (e.g. in conducting the structured interviews and managing the test subjects). Further information and application modalities at: Job advertisement SHK and Job advertisement research internship.

There is also the opportunity to write a master's or doctoral thesis as part of the study. If you are interested, please contact Prof. Dr. habil. Garthus-Niegel directly.

Contact information

E-mail address: respect@ukdd.de
Telephone: 0351-458-89306

Director of studies

Network partner

Prof. Dr. med. Pauline Wimberger Clinic and Polyclinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Faculty of TU Dresden

Study team

Scientists

Further team

Former employees