Research project
Expecting Together: Preparing Well for Childbirth
Childbirth is a unique experience. It does not always go as expected. What impact does this have? How could we better prepare pregnant women for this experience?
- Duration
- 2024
- Contact
- Kaya Peerdeman
- Funding
-
NWO
-
LUF
- Partners
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.
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Would you like to participate in a project? Or would you like to read more? Find more information below.
Did Your Childbirth Go as Expected? (2025 – now)
Study Type: Questionnaire
Who Can Participate: Mothers who have recently given birth
In this study, we are examining the wishes, expectations, and experiences of mothers giving birth to their first child. We hope to learn more about whether their expectations were met and whether this is related, for example, to how young mothers look back on their childbirth experience.
For this study, we are inviting women who:
• gave birth to their first child between 6 weeks and 6 months ago
• are 18 years of age or older
• can read and write in Dutch
Interested in participating? Sign up via the the online questionnaire.
From expectation to experience (2025 – 2026, Closed)
Study type: Randomized controlled trial
Who can participate: Midwives and pregnant women
Many women experience their first childbirth differently than expected. With this study, we aim to better understand how shared decision-making between midwives and expectant mothers regarding the management of labor pain can be improved by, among other things, applying knowledge about placebo and nocebo effects. The goal is to prepare pregnant women even better for childbirth and to ensure their experiences are as positive as possible.
Both midwives and pregnant women participated in this study.
Co-creation of an Expectation Management Tool to Optimize Childbirth (2026 – now)
Study Type: Interviews (expectant parents), focus groups (healthcare professionals), and co-creation workshops (pregnant women and healthcare professionals)
Who can participate: pregnant women, women who have recently given birth, and their partners; healthcare providers in maternal and newborn care
Expectations play an important role in how women experience childbirth. This study focuses on developing a practical tool to help pregnant women approach childbirth with positive and realistic expectations.
The tool must be practical, complementary, and feasible within the Dutch maternity care system. That is why we are asking for input from (expectant) parents and healthcare professionals in maternity care!
Interested in participating? We would love to hear from you!
Are you (or is your partner) pregnant or have you recently given birth?
Share your expectations and experiences regarding childbirth and help us understand what women need to approach childbirth with realistic expectations!
Or are you a healthcare provider involved in maternity care, or in the physical or mental health of pregnant women and new mothers?
Share your perspective and exchange your knowledge and experience with other healthcare professionals!
Sign up via the online form.
Strategic Priorities
Open Science, Interdisciplinarity, Translational