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Personality and labor: a retrospective study of the relationship between personality traits and birthing experiences

Abstract Objective: In the current study, we explored the relationship between a woman’s personality, epidural use and perceptions of the labour and birth experience. Background: Having a positive birthing experience is relevant to predicting a range of important outcomes including mother–infant bonding, fertility rates and delivery interventions. However, limited research has addressed the kinds of individual differences that may affect a woman’s subjective birthing experience. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five women were surveyed about subjective aspects of the labour and birthing experience of their first-born child, including use of epidural, perceived pain, anxiety, self-capacity and positive experiences. The women also completed the Big Five personality inventory, which measures five dimensions of stable personality characteristics. Results: Results show that four of the Big Five personality traits were found to correlate to the four different aspects of the labour and birth experience, and that these relationships were largely moderated by a woman’s decision to have an epidural. Conclusion: These findings add to the limited body of research on the relationships between personality and the labour experience. They also highlight the importance of considering pain management decisions in understanding this relationship. Future research in this area may provide a new way for doctors, midwives and doulas to tailor support and intervention for women during the birthing process based on individual differences to help more women have positive birthing experiences.