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- Hadjigeorgiou, Eleni, et al.
(author)
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Women's Perceptions of Their Right to Choose the Place of Childbirth : A Qualitative Study
- 2012
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In: International Journal of Childbirth. - : Springer Publishing Company. - 2156-5287 .- 2156-5295. ; 2:4, s. 230-240
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To explore Greek Cypriot women's perceptions of their right to choose the place of childbirth.DESIGN: This study is qualitative and is based on Husserl's phenomenological approach. The field work extended over a 6-month period in 2010–2011.SETTING: In all cities of the Republic of Cyprus.PARTICIPANTS: Purposive sample of 55 women within 1 year after birth. Forty-eight women were recruited for semistructured interviews and six of them took place in first focus group. The second group consisted of seven women that did not participate in interviews.RESULTS: Women's perceptions were categorized into four themes: (a) informed choice for birth place, (b) trusting relationship with health professionals, (c) medicalization of childbirth, and (d) safety of the mother and baby.CONCLUSIONS: There is no equity and accessibility in Cyprus maternity care system because it does not provide correct information and accessibility to all birthplace choices. This study demonstrated the need to explore women's views before formulating policy for maternity care. These views will be helpful for the creation of an innovative evidence-based maternity care policy, taking into account women's needs, and will be helpful to raise awareness among health professionals for maternity care improvement.IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Ensuring the right for birthplace choices is a social and political necessity that enhances the existing health care systems and health professionals to provide quality and holistic maternity care. Conducting more studies on maternity care in Cyprus will reinforce the aim for improving the health of the women, neonates, and society.
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| 2. |
- Hadjigeorgiou, Eleni, et al.
(author)
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Women's perceptions of their right to choose the place of childbirth : an integrative review
- 2012
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In: Midwifery. - : Elsevier. - 0266-6138 .- 1532-3099. ; 28:3, s. 380-390
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: to provide a critical synthesis of published research concerning women's experiences in choosing where to give birth.Method: an integrative literature review was conducted using three databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL and Ovid) for 1997–2009. Inclusion criteria were: (1) publication in the English language; (2) research article; (3) focus on women's perceptions for their birthplace choices; and (4) data collected during pregnancy, at birth and post partum.Findings: twenty-one research-based papers met the inclusion criteria, and these used a range of approaches and methods. Four themes were derived from the data: choice of birthplace and medicalisation of childbirth; the midwifery model of care and the rhetoric of birthplace choices; perceptions of safety shaped women's preferences; and choice is related to women's autonomy.Conclusion: there is considerable evidence that women worldwide wish to be able to exercise their rights and make informed choices about where to give birth. The medical model remains a strong and powerful influence on women's decisions in many countries. The midwifery model offers birthplace choices to women, while policies and culture in some countries affect midwifery practise. Perceptions of safety shaped women's preferences, and women's autonomy facilitated birthplace choices.Implications for practise: these findings can be seen as a challenge for health professionals and policy makers to improve perinatal care based on women's needs. Local research is advisable due to cultural and health system differences.
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