Women\u27s perceptions of birth centre care: A qualitative approach

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory study was to describe women\u27s perceptions of the care they received in a birth centre, compared to their previous experiences in a hospital. Australian statistics indicate that five percent of childbearing women now choose to receive care in a birth centre setting. Clinical outcomes of birth centre care are now well documented, but there is limited empirical data about women\u27s experiences of this model of care. Seventeen women, who had recently given birth in a birth centre, and had previously experienced care in a hospital setting, were interviewed about their care experiences. Using content analysis, the primary patterns in the data were coded and categorised into the four key themes of : Beliefs about Pregnancy and Birth, Nature of the Care Relationship, Care Interactions and Care Structures. The underlying clinical issues were those relating to philosophies of care, control over childbirth, and continuity of carer. Women wanted carers who viewed birth as a natural process rather than as an illness, and who engaged in a sharing, rather than a controlling, relationship. Finally women preferred to know, and be known by their carers. These findings are important for midwives, in terms of their education and practice. They also have implications for hospital administrators, health planning agencies, and the medical profession