What influences women’s decision-making regarding their planned place for birth?

Abstract

The Evaluating Maternity Units (EMU) study is a mixed method project involving a prospective cohort study, surveys (two postnatal questionnaires) and focus groups. It is an Australasian project funded by the Australian Health and Medical Research Council. Its primary aim was to compare the birth outcomes of two groups of ‘low risk’ women – one group who planned to give birth at a primary level maternity unit, and a second group of the same size and risk status who planned to give birth at a tertiary unit. The secondary aim was to learn about women’s views and experiences regarding their birth place choices and decision-making, transfer, maternity care and experiences, and any other issues they raised as important for them. The New Zealand arm of the study was carried out in Christchurch, and was seriously affected by the earthquakes. However, despite the trauma, most of the women who joined the study still wanted to share their experiences and views. The findings are still being analysed, and those relating to the factors which influence women’s decision-making regarding their planned place for a hospital birth, will be presented. This study is set within the local maternity context, is recent, relevant and robust. It gives midwives insight into the views and experiences of childbearing women. Learning about who and what is influencing women, and what is important for them, may help inform the conversations midwives have with women and their families/whanau regarding the choices of birth place for well childbearing women.