Open AccessWomen's Experiences and Involvement in Decision-Making in Relation to Planned Cesarean Birth: An Interview Study
Author(s) -
Purshaiyna Thirukumar,
Amanda Henry,
Dominiek Coates
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the journal of perinatal education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1548-8519
pISSN - 1058-1243
DOI - 10.1891/j-pe-d-20-00034
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , medicine , maternity care , family medicine , vaginal birth , metropolitan area , qualitative research , telephone interview , nursing , obstetrics , health care , pregnancy , social science , pathology , sociology , biology , economics , genetics , economic growth
Actively engaging women in decision-making about their own care is critical to providing woman-centered maternity care. The aim was to understand women's mode-of-birth preferences and shared decision-making experiences during planned cesarean birth (CB). Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 33 women who had planned CB at eight Australian metropolitan hospitals. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo-12. Many women preferred a vaginal birth but were willing to have a CB if the clinician recommended. Most women looked to their clinicians for information and guidance. Although many women reported receiving enough information to make informed decisions, others felt pressured into having or not having a CB, or expected to make decisions themselves. Women wished for longer consultation times, more information, and care continuity.