Women's Decision-Making And Factors Affecting Their Choice Of ...

Contribution to research
The thesis has attempted to address the issue of women's views of the
process of childbirth, and examined factors that influence women's preferences
for a home or hospital birth. The area of risk perception was reviewed and an
assessment made of how it could be applicable to childbirth. This was a
substantial contribution to childbirth literature as women's risk perceptions related
to childbirth and the place of birth have not been researched. Secondly, the thesis
considered the Department of Health's view of information giving to allow
women to make informed decisions about their care. The thesis investigated
whether lack of information still has an impact on decision-making. The findings
of the study therefore are a contribution towards evaluating whether the
recommendations of the Department of Health (1993b) of giving women
information are being addressed.
The thesis conducted two studies, one a systematic review of factors
affecting women's preference for a home or hospital birth. The review is a major
contribution to literature and could add to the Health Technology Assessment
literature (http://www.ncchta.org ) that makes up a large body of knowledge for
evidence based practice in the United Kingdom. The second study is a primary
qualitative study of women's views of the process of childbirth and factors
affecting their choice of place of birth. Although limited by the small sample size,
the study contributes by adding to exploratory studies looking at women's views,
which are urgently needed.
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