Validating a framework of women's experience of the perinatal period; a scoping review

Objective: The aim of this paper is to identify and explain the factors that make up a woman's experience of the perinatal period. We accomplish this by validating a framework, described in an earlier study, that identifies the distinct dimensions of the perinatal experience. Design: We conducted a scoping review, using five online databases, to identify and categorize studies that investigate women's experience of the perinatal period. Findings: We found 251 publications that focused on the experience of the perinatal period. Our review confirmed the seven dimensions of our framework describing women's experiences of the perinatal period - the woman as unique individual, the woman as active participant in care, the responsiveness of maternity care and health services, the lived experience of being pregnant, giving birth and the postpartum period, communication and relationships with care providers, information and childbirth education, and support from social environment. One new dimension emerged from the studies we identified: societal influence. The resulting eight dimensions provide a comprehensive overview of the important aspects of women's experience of the perinatal period. While each dimension is distinct, there are significant overlaps and close relationships between them. Conclusion: The framework is a useful guide for healthcare providers, researchers, and policy makers who wish to improve the experience of the perinatal period. It is important to remember, however, that the current framework is dynamic, open to new insights and further development and refinement.