Effect of TeamBirth on Patient Trust and Autonomy During Childbirth in Oklahoma

Abstract Objective To examine the effect of experiencing a TeamBirth huddle during labor on patient trust and autonomy in decision-making during childbirth in Oklahoma. Design A cross-sectional survey with a two-group comparison. Setting Hospitals in Oklahoma at which patients gave birth between March 2022 and June 2024. Participants Patients who were 15 years and older and had live births (N = 6,528). Methods We surveyed participants who gave birth at participating hospitals on their demographic and clinical characteristics, experience with TeamBirth huddles, and responses to the Health Care Relationship Trust Scale–Revised (HCRTS-R) and the My Autonomy in Decision-Making (MADM) scale. We used descriptive analyses to compare participant characteristics by receipt of a TeamBirth huddle during labor and robust multivariable linear regression models to assess the association between TeamBirth exposure and HCRTS-R and MADM scores. We performed subgroup analyses to explore variations in scores among racial and ethnic groups. Results Participants who were exposed to TeamBirth huddles during labor exhibited significantly higher mean HCRTS-R (b = 1.81, p < .001) and MADM scale (b = 2.59, p < .001) scores than those who were not exposed. Across all racial and ethnic groups, participants who experienced TeamBirth huddles during labor had elevated trust and autonomy scores, and exposure to huddles reduced variations in scores across groups. Conclusion Experiencing a TeamBirth huddle during labor was associated with increased patient trust and autonomy scores in our study, which suggests its potential to improve equity, patient outcomes, and childbirth experiences.