Effects of Individual Explanations by Midwives about the Process of Delivery, Using 3D Animation Software, on Parturient Females’ Understanding of and Satisfaction with Delivery

Objectives: To clarify the effects on the delivery experience of midwives giving parturient females individual explanations about how the course of delivery, using 3D animation software (Delivery Animation). Method: 1) Subjects: Women admitted to Institution A for delivery; 70 in the intervention group (34 primipara, 36 multipara), and 79 (41 primipara, 38 multipara) in the control group. 2) Data collection method: Intervention group; 3) During phases 1 and 2 of delivery, after internal examinations, collaborative-researcher midwives gave parturient women explanations about the course of delivery, using tablets with the Delivery Animation software installed. This software was independently developed by the researchers. On postpartum day 1, the collaborative-researcher midwives distributed anonymous, self-administered questionnaires to the postpartum women. 4) During phases 1 and 2 of delivery, the course of delivery was explained using existing methods, and anonymous, self-administered questionnaires were distributed on postpartum day 1. 5) The intervention group and control group were compared using descriptive and inferential statistics, organized into primipara and multipara. Results: In the Understanding the Delivery Process category, primipara in the intervention group had significantly higher scores for “understood baby’s rotation” (p < 0.01) and “understood progress through delivery” (p < 0.05). In multipara, the intervention group scored significantly higher for “understood baby’s rotation” (p < 0.01). In the anonymous self-evaluation, primipara in the intervention group scored significantly higher in “midwife I could trust was by my side” (p < 0.01). Opinions on the Delivery Animation were classified into 7 categories. In their evaluations of the Delivery Animation, 89.0% of primipara and 92.0% of multipara said it helped them understand the course of labor, and 85.0% of primipara and 86.0% of multipara said it helped them communicate with the doctor/midwife. Conclusion: The significant differences in understanding of the course of delivery seen between the intervention and control groups, the satisfaction scores on the “Self-evaluation scale for experience of delivery (abridged version)” questionnaire, opinions about and evaluation of the Delivery Animation all show that a personal explanation of the course of childbirth has a positive effect on the understanding and satisfaction of parturient women.