Influence of the birthing room design on midwives' job satisfaction – A cross-sectional online survey embedded in the ‘Be-Up’ study

•Midwives in the Be-Up-group had a higher global job satisfaction, but were less satisfied with the design of the birthing room.•Due to the equipment of the Be-Up room, women were enabled more often to manage labour herself and midwives had more often a comfortable seating compared to the standard birthing room.•A new design of the birthing room can create uncertainties in midwifery practice, especially in the treatment of emergencies.•Team and understaffing are the main predictors of job satisfaction of midwives working in obstetric units.•The working environment of midwives and its influence on job satisfaction need to be further investigated. Job satisfaction is an important factor influencing work performance, personal well-being, commitment and retention. The working environment influences job satisfaction. The design of the birthing room could influence the practice of midwives and their satisfaction. This study investigates whether the alternative design of the birthing room implemented in the randomized controlled trial ‘Be-Up’ (Birth environment-Upright position) has an impact on job satisfaction of midwives. A cross-sectional survey using an online questionnaire with 50 items addressing job satisfaction and birth room design was performed. The sample (n = 312) consists of midwives whose obstetric units participated in the Be-Up study and, as comparison group, midwives working in non-study obstetric units. These two independent groups were compared using t-tests; correlations and impacts were examined. The results of the T-tests revealed statistically significant higher global job satisfaction and higher satisfaction with team support of midwives in the Be-Up room. However, midwives working in customary birthing rooms were more satisfied with the design of the room. The most important predictors of job satisfaction were team factors and understaffing in both groups. Reasons for diminished satisfaction with the working environment in the Be-Up study may be assumed in uncertainties about emergency management in a new and unfamiliar environment. Furthermore the impact of a single redesigned room within a customary obstetric unit on job satisfaction seems small, as the room is embedded in the ward and hospital environment. More comprehensive concepts on the potential of the work environment influencing midwives’ job satisfaction are needed.