First-time mothers' birth beliefs, preferences, and actual birth: A longitudinal observational study.
Birth beliefs
Birth options
Medicalization
Natural birth
Place and mode of birth
Journal
Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives
ISSN: 1878-1799
Titre abrégé: Women Birth
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 101266131
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Feb 2019
Feb 2019
Historique:
received:
15
07
2017
revised:
13
04
2018
accepted:
24
04
2018
pubmed:
14
5
2018
medline:
21
3
2019
entrez:
14
5
2018
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Birth preferences, such as mode and place of birth and other birth options, have important individual and societal implications, yet few studies have investigated the mechanism which predicts a wide range of childbirth options simultaneously. Basic beliefs about birth as a natural and as a medical process are both predictive factors for childbirth preferences. Studies investigating birth beliefs, preferences, and actual birth are rare. To test a predictive model of how these beliefs translate into birth preferences and into actual birth related-options. Longitudinal observational study including 342 first-time expectant mothers recruited at women's health centres and natural birth communities in Israel. All women filled out questionnaires including basic birth beliefs and preferred birth options. Two months postpartum, they filled out a questionnaire including detailed questions regarding actual birth. Stronger beliefs about birth being natural were related to preferring a more natural place and mode of birth and preferring more natural birth-related options. Stronger beliefs about birth being medical were associated with opposite options. The preferences mediated the association between the birth beliefs and actual birth. The beliefs predicted the preferences better than they predicted actual birth. Birth beliefs are pivotal in the decision-making process regarding preferred and actual birth options. In a medicalized obstetric system, where natural birth is something women need to actively seek out and insist on, the predictive powers of beliefs and of preferences decrease. Women's beliefs should be recognized and birth preferences respected.
Sections du résumé
PROBLEM
OBJECTIVE
Birth preferences, such as mode and place of birth and other birth options, have important individual and societal implications, yet few studies have investigated the mechanism which predicts a wide range of childbirth options simultaneously.
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Basic beliefs about birth as a natural and as a medical process are both predictive factors for childbirth preferences. Studies investigating birth beliefs, preferences, and actual birth are rare.
AIM
OBJECTIVE
To test a predictive model of how these beliefs translate into birth preferences and into actual birth related-options.
METHODS
METHODS
Longitudinal observational study including 342 first-time expectant mothers recruited at women's health centres and natural birth communities in Israel. All women filled out questionnaires including basic birth beliefs and preferred birth options. Two months postpartum, they filled out a questionnaire including detailed questions regarding actual birth.
FINDINGS
RESULTS
Stronger beliefs about birth being natural were related to preferring a more natural place and mode of birth and preferring more natural birth-related options. Stronger beliefs about birth being medical were associated with opposite options. The preferences mediated the association between the birth beliefs and actual birth. The beliefs predicted the preferences better than they predicted actual birth.
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
Birth beliefs are pivotal in the decision-making process regarding preferred and actual birth options. In a medicalized obstetric system, where natural birth is something women need to actively seek out and insist on, the predictive powers of beliefs and of preferences decrease.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Women's beliefs should be recognized and birth preferences respected.
Identifiants
pubmed: 29753684
pii: S1871-5192(17)30281-0
doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2018.04.019
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Observational Study
Langues
eng
Pagination
e110-e117Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2018 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.