Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
14:43
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Choice and birth method: mixed-method study of caesarean delivery for maternal request
C Kingdon1, J Neilson, V Singleton
1Department of Midwifery Studies, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK. ckingdon@uclan.ac.uk
Summary
Women often feel their birth choices are limited by circumstances, not fully autonomous. The study questions the prevailing notion of "choice" in UK birth arrangements and maternal request caesarean deliveries.
Area of Science:
- Maternal Health
- Reproductive Health
- Healthcare Decision-Making
Background:
- The concept of maternal choice in birth decisions is a significant aspect of contemporary maternity care.
- International debates increasingly focus on caesarean delivery for maternal request, highlighting the role of perceived choice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how women perceive decision-making autonomy regarding vaginal versus caesarean birth.
- To explore the practical realities of choice in maternity care within the UK National Health Service.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal cohort study combining quantitative (questionnaires, routinely collected data) and qualitative (in-depth interviews) methods.
- Involved 454 primigravid women in a UK hospital setting, with interviews conducted antenatally and postnatally.
- Data analysis included descriptive statistics for survey and delivery records, and a seven-stage sequential analysis for interview data.
Main Results:
- While women supported the principle of choice, their autonomy was often constrained by individual circumstances and care provision.
- Health concerns for mother or baby consistently took precedence over personal preference.
- Women's preferences for birth method were not fixed, and they did not always desire full autonomous control over the final birth method.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that
- choice
- may not be the most appropriate framework for understanding current UK birth arrangements.
- The study challenges the prevailing international discourse on maternal request caesarean deliveries and the concept of autonomous choice.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:22Case Studies
There are many research methods available to psychologists in their efforts to understand, describe, and explain behavior and the cognitive and biological processes that underlie it.
01:13Randomized Experiments
The randomization process involves assigning study participants randomly to experimental or control groups based on their probability of being equally assigned. Randomization is meant to eliminate selection bias and balance known and unknown confounding factors so that the control group is similar to the treatment group as much as possible. A computer program and a random number generator can be used to assign participants to groups in a way that minimizes bias.
Simple randomization
Simple...
Simple randomization
Simple...
01:22Birth Control Methods
Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although vasectomy...
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
01:20Mate Choice
Mate choice—the decision about whom to mate with—is a type of natural selection, since animals must reproduce to pass down their genes. Mate choice is also called intersexual selection because the behavior occurs between the sexes.