Women’s Decision-Making About Birthplace Choices: Booking for Birth Center, Hospital, or Home Birth in the North of England

Abstract

Aim:This article presents findings from an interpretive phenomenological study that illuminates unique characteristics of the different social representations of antenatal primigravida and multigravida women who book to birth their babies in a birth center, hospital, or at home.Methods:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 women and analyzed by interpretive phenomenological analysis.Findings:Analysis revealed different social representations independent of each other that illustrate how these social groups, determined by women’s collective voices, are uniquely characterized by group views, beliefs, misinterpretations, and preconceptions that establish what influences women in decision-making about choice of birthplace.Conclusion:Women make decisions about what they want for themselves in this birthing experience. These decisions are made long before this impending experience. Recognizing the different social representations of women in pregnancy reveals deeper insight into the complexities of women’s decision-making about birth choices and highlights why some women might opt for certain choices. Knowing that some women may make decisions based on little or misrepresented information confirms midwives are best placed in their interactions with women to provide positive influences, empowering them to make decisions based upon what they want for themselves. This affirms the woman and her midwife should remain partners in the decision-making process.