Evaluation, Mälarsjukhuset 2025

The Wavecare Sensory Delivery Room is the hospital’s first sensory delivery room, and it is experienced as a significantly improved birth environment that enhances safety, calmness, wellbeing and perceived quality.

A full 94.5% would recommend the Sensory Delivery Room. This is shown in a survey including 73 responses from birthing women, partners and staff at Mälarsjukhuset in Eskilstuna.

More than half of the respondents spent over six hours in the room, and the evaluation highlights both high satisfaction and a clear demand for additional sensory rooms at the hospital.

The responses show a clear overall effect on both physical and emotional calmness, as well as support during labour. Among the respondents, the following points are highlighted:

• Ability to relax: 78%

• Sense of safety: 73%

• Stress level: 70%

• Perceived pain level: 27%

• Communication between the birthing woman and the staff: 25%

A room with strong sensory and emotional experiences

The first impression is typically described as calming, cosy, atmospheric, wonderful and safe. Many birthing women compare the atmosphere to a spa-like experience, where it is easier to shift focus away from the contractions, while staff emphasise that the birthing women and their partners are calmer, and that the room provides a more pleasant environment to work in.

Several respondents report strong personal and emotional experiences in the room, and some describe it as healing in connection with trauma, loss or anxiety.

Consistent feedback across respondents

Feedback from birthing women, partners and staff paints a very consistent picture:

• The atmosphere provides a sense of safety and psychological security.

• The room helps slow down, reduce stress, focus on breathing and manage pain.

• The environment is experienced as better and less clinical than standard delivery rooms at the hospital.

• Calm lighting, nature sounds, images and a subdued atmosphere make the birthing woman more relaxed and less stressed.

• The environment supports the body’s natural birth hormones (oxytocin) and strengthens the birth process.

• The room supports the mental work during labour.

• The birthing woman and her partner experience a sense of control over their experience, which increases calmness and confidence.

Demand for more rooms is consistent across groups – especially among staff

78% find the technology easy or very easy to use. Only two respondents consider it difficult.

Based on the clear results, the Sensory Delivery Room has already been moved to new, improved facilities, and the hospital expects to establish additional rooms of the same type.