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CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
AIUM Credit
AIUM Credit
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee
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Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee

Poster Session 1

Category: Health Equity/Community Health

Poster Session 1

(224) Racial Differences in Maternal Perceptions of Respectful Care during Childbirth

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM  
Objective:
Racial disparities in respectful maternity care are prevalent in the United States; BIPOC birthing people are more likely to report disrespect, leading to medical mistrust and exacerbating inequities in perinatal outcomes. Maternal perceptions of respectful care in patients experiencing labor interventions are not well known. We sought to examine differences in patient-reported measures of respect by race in patients experiencing an intervention in labor.

Study Design:
We conducted a prospective study of 200 patients presenting for delivery with a labor induction or unplanned cesarean from September 2024 to April 2025. Patients completed the Mothers on Respect Index (MORi) survey; responses were categorized by high/less than high respect (score ≥/ < 67). Survey scores were compared by race using chi-squared and Mann Whitney U tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for relevant confounders.

Results:
Of the 200 patients, 118 (59.0%) were BIPOC and 82 (41.0%) were White. BIPOC patients had significantly lower total MORi scores than White patients (77.28 ± 9.81 vs. 80.02 ± 7.69, p=0.03). BIPOC patients had almost three times the odds of reporting less than high respect, after adjusting for delivery mode (aOR: 2.93, 95%CI: 1.04, 8.21). Among the individual survey components, BIPOC patients reported poorer treatment due to race/ethnicity (p < 0.01), sexual orientation (p < 0.01), insurance (p < 0.01), and differences in opinion regarding care (p=0.03).

Conclusion:
BIPOC patients reported lower total MORI scores compared to White patients, indicating less than ideal respectful maternity care. This disparity was driven by lower scores related to perceived poor treatment due to race, sexual orientation, insurance status, and differences in opinions regarding care. These findings highlight inequities in patient-reported quality of maternity care and the need for targeted interventions to improve culturally responsive communication and promote equitable care for all birthing people.