A Qualitative Examination of Factors that Influence Birthing Options for African American Women

Abstract

This article examines the factors that influenced the birthing decisions of a group of African American women from regions throughout the United States who selected to give birth at home. Using the Afrocentric and Africentric social science models developed by Asante and Akbar, respectively, 25 African American women were interviewed to discern why they chose to give birth at home and eschew traditional Western medical birthing practices. The women asserted that (1) a desire for control, (2) avoiding pharmacological pain relief, and (3) dissatisfaction with the medical aspects of intrapartum care were all central in their decision-making process. Finally, the participants also alluded to a desire to utilize indigenous African birthing methods and to reconnect with more indigenous African cultural practices.