Comparing the Experiences of Parturient Women With Remifentanil Analgesia and Elective Cesarean Section and Providing Improver Strategies: A Sequential Explanatory Mixed Method Study

Abstract Background Identifying methods that can effectively and safely improve the childbirth experience and are tailored to mothers' needs are of crucial importance. The current study aimed to compare experiences of parturient women with remifentanil analgesia and elective cesarean section and providing improver strategies for women living in the city of Tabriz, Iran. Methods This is a mixed-method study with an explanatory sequential approach. The first stage is quantitative and longitudinal. The study population is all parturient women who will give birth by elective C-section or vaginal painless delivery using remifentanil in private hospitals of the city of Tabriz in 2020-2021. All mothers are free to choose either method. Participants will be selected from all private hospitals using the convenience sampling technique proportioned to the number of eligible women in each hospital. Participants will be followed up to 30 days after delivery to complete the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression questionnaire. The second stage is a qualitative study aimed at exploring the perceptions of parturient women who had either elective C-section or painless delivery (using remifentanil), including factors related to labor experiences. Data will be collected by semi structured interviews with new mothers and important others (if needed).In the third stage, a mixed study will be performed to provide strategies for improving labor experiences. we will use an explanatory Sequential approach in order to increase the accuracy and quality of data and to use the findings to evaluate different methods of delivery. Discussion By comparing the experience of parturient women receiving Remifentanil analgesia and elective C-section, evidence-based improving strategies using a culturally sensitive approach can be provided. Presentation of the results obtained from this study using the mixed method may help in better understanding the issue. Also, the obtained results can be used to enhance the quality of midwifery care to be examined by health policymakers and planners. Trial registration This study is approved by the ethics committee of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (code: IR.TBZMED.REC.1399. 521). Besides, it's evaluated by relevant refers.