Husbands' Perception of Environmental Characteristics During Participation in Physiologic Delivery:  A Case Study of Delivery Rooms in Iran

Faeghe Deljoo Ghamgosar; Seyed Abbas Yazdanfar; Esmat Nikkhah; Hassan Yari; Mina Honarbakhsh

doi:10.18502/jfrh.v17i3.13538

Faeghe Deljoo Ghamgosar School of Architecture and Environmental Design, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Abbas Yazdanfar School of Architecture and Environmental Design, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Esmat Nikkhah Family Health Research Institute, Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Hassan Yari Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
Mina Honarbakhsh Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jfrh.v17i3.13538

Keywords: Physiologic Delivery; Husband; Environmental Characteristics; Perception; Mechanism of Perception Formation

Abstract

Objective: Nowadays, the presence of husbands during the childbirth process is regarded as an important factor that can contribute to lower rate of the C-section, better success of physiologic delivery and higher satisfaction in childbirth experience. Considering the special sociocultural characteristics of the Iranian society, this method requires accurate assessment to be practical and effective. The aim of this research was finding out how husbands perceive the environmental and physical characteristics of delivery spaces via studying these physical characteristics, exploring them through husbands’ perception and finally discovering the mechanism behind formation of this perception.

Materials and methods: First, the conceptual model of the study was developed after a review of the physiologic childbirth literature. Then, a research questionnaire was designed and distributed among
120 husbands who recently had the experience of accompanying their wives during physiologic childbirth.

Results: The results showed that light, color and temperature play a significant role in husbands’ perception of delivery spaces under the special psychological conditions and stress that they experience during the childbirth. Designer should pay due attention to these three factors when designing the structure of childbirth spaces.

Conclusion: Promoting the environmental quality of the physiologic delivery room based on husband's perception can help mothers and medical staff better manage childbirth pain which is an integral part of natural childbirths.