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

• The woman and, if she wishes, her partner, should be encouraged to be
closely involved in the planning of her care. It should be clear to her that her
views and wishes, including her desire for a safe outcome, are important and
respected Antenatal care should be designed to ensure that professionals who
are acceptable to her, and who have the appropriate skills and expertise required
care for the woman in her circumstances. She should not feel that she has to
choose from one profession and exclude all others. Women should be encouraged
to use the service fully and to their advantage.
• The woman should feel secure in the knowledge that she can make her choice
after full discussion of all the issues with the professionals involved in her care.
She should feel confident that these professionals would respect her right to
choose her care on that basis, and ensure that the services provided are of the
best quality possible (Department of Health I993b) pages 5-6.
The above components of good maternity care as set out by the
Department of Health highlight the importance that must be placed in
individualised care for each woman. The components also stress the importance
of giving women information to afford them informed choices about their care.
The Expert Maternity Group is concerned that women are not given
adequate information about the childbirth options available to them, which may
result in them going for the only option which is promoted. Their main concern
therefore could be seen to be 'how can women choose if they don't know what to
choose from?' The government wants the woman to be the one to choose what
she thinks is appropriate for her and her unborn baby.
The committee feels that the lack of agreement about whether a mother
with an uncomplicated pregnancy is putting herself and her child at any greater
risk by not having her baby in a hospital maternity unit suggests that there is no
clear answer (Department of Health 1993b). The committee expresses the view
that the professional cannot quantify the enriching experience felt by those who
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