Factors contributing to a positive childbirth experience for women in a hospital setting: an umbrella review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this umbrella review is to identify and evaluate the factors that contribute to a positive childbirth experience in laboring women in the hospital setting.

Introduction: Childbirth is a milestone for women. Overall, the experience can positively or negatively affect self-esteem, bonding, future childbirth decisions, and overall health and well-being. Understanding of the mother's perception and expectation of the childbirth event is needed to promote positive experiences and outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria: This review will consider qualitative systematic reviews that include pregnant women, women in active labor, or women who have recently given birth. This review will consider systematic reviews conducted in a hospital setting in any geographical location reporting on women's positive childbirth experiences, and the factors that led to positive experiences.

Methods: The search strategy will aim to locate qualitative systematic reviews. Databases to be searched include MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, JBI Evidence Synthesis, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Sources of unpublished reviews and gray literature to be searched include ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Sciences and Engineering Collection and OpenGrey. Systematic reviews published since 2001 in the English language will be included. Data will be extracted from systematic reviews by two independent reviewers and findings from the included reviews, as they relate to the umbrella review question, will be presented in tabular format with a supplemental narrative to ensure interpretability.

Systematic Review Registration Number: PROSPERO CRD42021251796.