Places of birth: a feasibility study on informed decision-making
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Places of birth: A feasibility study on information, decision-making and choice outcomes in a maternity context\n
IRAS ID
230496
Contact name
Cassandra Yuill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
City, University of London, School of Health Sciences
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
The British government has been committed to ensuring that women and their partners have access to a range of choices in maternity services, including where women decide to give birth. Providing choice not only empowers women but also increases the rate of straightforward births and parents’ satisfaction with their birth experience and outcome. With the push for the diversification of services and their uptake, place of birth decision-making and what influences it must be considered in order to shape maternity care and information provision.\n\nThis project is co-funded by City, University of London and ’Which?’, and will be developed based on initial research and engagement with local parents and community organisation in the East London area. The feasibility study aims to understand the relationship between information, decision-making and choice outcomes, focusing on what influences the decision-making process of both women and their (birth) partners and to what extent birthplace choices are “informed.” Employing two qualitative methods, diaries and interviews, the study will 1) trace the decision-making process during and after pregnancy, 2) explore information use, 3) assess the influence of Which? Birth Choice, an online birth decision-aid, and other information sources on decision-making, 4) measure how informed place of birth choices were in relation to evidence and 5) assess the feasibility and acceptability of the study design. \n\nA feasibility trial design will be employed, with eligible women randomised into control and intervention groups after they enrol in the study. The control group will receive usual birthplace information provision from their clinicians, while the intervention will be introduced to and encouraged to use Which? Birth Choice in addition to their usual care. If the design looks promising, then plans for further research will move towards establishing a framework for a randomised trial. \n
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1510
Date of REC Opinion
8 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion