Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Midwifery and Health Sciences, cilt.7, sa.1, ss.195-207, 2024 (Scopus)
Childbirth is an important experience that affects women's lives physically, spiritually and socially and leaves vivid memories for women. In general, the birth experience is affected by the labor process, complications, pain experiences, support, sense of control, and the woman's birth expectations. However, lately, the importance of the birth environment has been frequently mentioned for women to have a positive birth experience. The fact that the place of birth has changed from home to hospital in most countries in the last 100 years, including our country, means that a medical paradigm is generally dominant in the design of the birth environment and care delivery. A medicalized birth environment is associated with women's loss of autonomy during birth and their inability to meet their physiological and psychological needs. However, like all mammals, women have always instinctively chosen to give birth in a safe, secure and private environment. Women in labor need both high-quality care that minimizes the risk of complications and a familiar, calm, safe and secure environment. In this way, the hormonal system of women whose basic needs are met can function optimally; a physiological and healthy birth process can take place. Although evidence-based information emphasizing the importance of design in the birth environment has been increasing rapidly in recent years, more scientific results are needed about the ideal birth environment design features and the effects of design on birth outcomes. In addition to providing the physical conditions that support birth in an ideal birth environment, the quality and support of social support, especially the only supporters of birth, is very important. The ideal birth environment is one of the basic building blocks of midwives to create a positive birth atmosphere with their communication skills based on empathy and compassion. Our aim with this study; The aim of this study is to examine the characteristics of ideal birth units in terms of physical, mental and social aspects by drawing attention to the importance of the birth environment in the light of the literature.