The Expecting Together research project aims to answer the above-mentioned and other related questions. In this interdisciplinary project, we investigate the expectations pregnant women have about childbirth and labour pain. In addition, we study the relation ship between these expectations and the actual birth experiences. For this purpose, we apply current knowledge about placebo and nocebo effects. Our goal? To better prepare pregnant women for childbirth and make their experiences as positive as possible.

Background

Recent research on placebo and nocebo effects shows that patients’ expectations can significantly influence the experience of healthcare. Positive and realistic expectations can decrease pain and improve overall health. Negative expectations can stimulate anxiety and pain, while overly optimistic expectations can lead to disappointment.

Childbirth is often accompanied by unrealistic expectations. This can have long term consequences for both mother and child: such as post-traumatic stress symptoms or a negative birth experience. Managing expectations, therefore, can have a positive impact on how childbirth is perceived. An important moment for managing expectations is when pregnant women and their healthcare professionals discuss options and wishes for childbirth (during shared decision-making).

Research goal and methods

The Expecting Together research project aims to understand the expectations pregnant women have about childbirth and labour pain, how these expectations are reflected in their experiences and how we can opmitise them, for example, during consultations with their healthcare professionals. In order to achieve this, we are investigating the needs of not only pregnant women and new mothers but also healthcare professionals, such as midwives and gynaecologists. Our goal is to combine these different perspectives into insights on how we can prepare pregnant women best for childbirth. In our research we apply various methods, including, interviews, co creation session, questionnaires and an evaluation of a training for midwives. During the entire process we work closely with pregnant women, their partners, healthcare professionals and researcher from a wide range of disciplines.

Strategic Priorities

Open Science, Interdisciplinarity, Translational

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