Women's experiences and perceptions of women‐centered care and respectful care during facility‐based childbirth: A meta‐synthesis

Aim The World Health Organization has recommended intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience through respectful care based on women‐centered care. This study aimed to explore women's experiences of facility‐based childbirth to gain insights into their perceptions of women‐centered care, including humanized childbirth and respectful maternity care during intrapartum care. Methods Used the Joanna Briggs Institute method as the framework for this meta‐synthesis, we searched the PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and LILCAS databases, and included qualitative studies and interviews of women's experiences and perceptions of women‐centered care during facility‐based childbirth published from 1990 to 2020 in English. Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. NVivo software was used for data extraction and synthesis. Results There were 22 studies from 19 countries that met the established inclusion criteria. Five categories of experiences of facility‐based childbirth and perceptions of women‐centered care from the synthesized voices of women were generated: (i) value of women through childbirth; (ii) overwhelmed by unpleasant childbearing experiences; (iii) a sense of being respected and valued; (iv) a sense of being disrespected and abused; and (v) inadequate systems and resources. Our meta‐synthesis indicated that respectful and helpful interaction between women and healthcare providers produced positive perceptions among women. Conclusions This study emphasizes the importance of respectful interactions and intrapersonal experiences. Strong systems and positive environments lead to positive interactions between women and healthcare providers. Future studies need to consider cultural and economic differences in women‐centered care and respectful care for childbirth in different contexts.