Respectful Maternity Care: The Role of Nurses in Enhancing Women's Childbirth Experience

Abstract

Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) has emerged as an essential dimension of quality maternal healthcare, reflecting a shift from a purely survival-oriented approach to one that also values women’s experiences during pregnancy and childbirth. Although access to skilled and institutional maternity care has improved, mistreatment during childbirth remains a major quality-of-care concern. Disrespect, discrimination, inadequate communication, neglect, breaches of privacy and confidentiality, and exclusion from decisions can undermine confidence in healthcare services and negatively affect psychological well-being and future utilization. This review examines the evolving concept of RMC and explores its significance in promoting positive childbirth experiences. Relevant literature was identified through a review of peer-reviewed articles, international guidelines, policy documents, and reports published by organizations involved in maternal and newborn health. The review synthesizes evidence relating to the prevalence of mistreatment during childbirth, determinants of positive maternal experiences, benefits of respectful care, barriers to implementation, and the critical contribution of nurses in fostering dignified and woman-centered maternity services. Evidence from the reviewed literature indicates that RMC contributes not only to improved maternal satisfaction but also to increased trust in healthcare providers, greater uptake of maternity services, and better maternal and neonatal outcomes. Nurses play a particularly influential role because of their continuous presence throughout labour, birth, and the postpartum period. Through effective communication, advocacy, emotional support, protection of privacy, and promotion of informed decision-making, nurses help create an environment in which women feel safe, valued, and empowered. Strengthening nursing education, supportive workplace policies, and institutional accountability mechanisms is therefore essential for embedding RMC into routine clinical practice. Ensuring that every woman receives compassionate and dignified care during childbirth remains a fundamental requirement for achieving equitable and high-quality maternal healthcare.