Lumba

The birth of the first child is a significant event in the life of the expectant mother. Individual birth expectations can have an impact on the birth process and psychological well-being in the time afterwards (1). The subsequently stored memory is also not stable, but changes over time (2) and both the medical birth parameters and the prepartum expectations appear to have an influence on the subsequent categorisation of the birth (3). The extent to which personality, individual expectations and the birth experience are connected and how the birth memory changes over time has not yet been sufficiently clarified and will be scientifically investigated as part of the LUMBA study.

The following questions are being investigated as part of the Lumba Study:

• Relationship between individual birth expectations and the birth experience
• Evaluation of the birth experience and birth memories within the first 6 months postpartum using standardised questionnaires
• Comparison of the assessment between the midwife attending the birth, the doctor and the woman giving birth

The longitudinal survey is carried out using short questionnaires and starts in the last trimester of pregnancy. A further three measurement points take place shortly after the birth on the maternity ward and 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. The last two questionnaires are completed online from the comfort of your own home. All participants receive a small gift as a thank you.

Participation requirements: You can take part in the Lumba study if you are at least 18 years old, are expecting your first child and are planning a spontaneous birth at the University Women's Hospital.

Your contact person for the study is Sarah Märthesheimer. If you have any questions or would like to take part, please contact us by e-mail at lumba-studie@hhu.de. We will then check the inclusion and exclusion criteria together and clarify the next steps with you personally.