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

The majority of those interviewed felt that women want to feel in control
of themselves and what happens to them during childbirth, and that they are
satisfied if they feel in control, and perceive themselves as partners in their care
rather than passive recipients. The emphasis of the Winterton report is that
women should have more choice and control in their care as captured in one of
their conclusions:
"We conclude that there is a widespread demand among women for greater
choice in the type of maternity care they receive, and that the present structure of
the maternity services frustrates, rather than facilitates, those who wish to
exercise this choice" (House of Commons Health Committee 1992) para 52.
The committee disputed the recommendation reached by the Maternity
Services Advisory Committee, that birth in a consultant obstetric unit provided the
best guarantee for a healthy baby, and therefore all births should be in hospital
(Maternity Services Advisory Committee 1984). The Winterton committee felt
that the recommendation had led to the situation of 98% of women in England
giving birth in NHS hospitals, while there was no evidence to support the claim of
more safety in hospital than at home. Such a policy, the committee felt, was
misguided and regrettable. They concluded that:
"On the basis of what we have heard, this committee must draw the conclusion
that the policy of encouraging all women to give birth in hospitals cannot be
justified on grounds of safety" Page xii para 33.
The Winterton Committee diverges from recommendations of previous
committees which favoured hospital delivery (Department of Health and Social
Security 1970; House of Commons Social Services Committee 1980; Maternity
Services Advisory Committee 1984; Ministry of Health 1959). It is more
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