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

women during pregnancy and then again after delivery. Such an approach gives
the women a chance to give their views before delivery and then to determine how
the experience of labour and delivery may possibly have affected their views.
Two studies collected data after delivery (Cunningham 1993; Davies, Hey,
Reid et al 1996). Results in retrospective studies could be marred by what
actually happens during the process of labour and delivery. For example, when
women are asked about their preferences for home or hospital birth following
delivery, their responses might be indicative of their experiences during the
process rather than what initially motivated their choice.
One study included women who were intending to be pregnant in the next
ten years (Mather 1980). Women who are not yet pregnant may have different
views about childbirth, which might change when they are actually faced with the
situation of pregnancy and the prospect of giving birth.
Data collection for most studies was conducted during the second or third
trimester of pregnancy. This is an appropriate time as the pregnancy is more
likely to be stable. Women are also likely at the second and last trimester to be
considering where they might want to give birth.
Discussion
The aim of the systematic review was to identify studies about women's
views regarding the place of birth, in terms of how much work has been done, and
to identify gaps, if any, in the literature. The theoretical framework derives from
risk perception (Douglas and Wildavslcy 1982; Johnson and Covello 1987;
Kahneman and Tversky 1984; Schwing and Albers 1980) and considered that
women's views of risk and safety related to the process of childbirth might have a
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