Professional decision making in childbirth. Version: 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An ethnographic study of decision making in childbirth in an NHS co located obstetric unit and alongside midwifery unit.
IRAS ID
365059
Contact name
Claire Feeley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kings' College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NCT07357064, Clinical Trials. Gov
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Medical interventions in childbirth have risen rapidly in high income countries over the last decade (WHO, 2018). This is reflected in the UK with caesarean section rates in England now accounting for an average 45% of all births (NHSE Digital, 2025). At the same time there has been an apparent decline in maternity care in England with three Independent Inquiries into poor care/outcomes in three NHS Trusts (Kirkup, 2015; Kirkup, 2022; Ockenden, 2022), with a fourth in a fourth NHS trust underway (Ockenden, 2025), two further Inquiries announced, and a National Inquiry announced by the Secretary of State for Health (Department of Health & Social Care, 2025).
One of the many issues within the above is the context in which professional decision making in childbirth (labour) is taking place. Specifically the key influences and drivers for undertaking medical interventions (or not) in childbirth. The aim of this research study is to describe and analyse organisational, policy and professional influences on decision making in childbirth through ethnographic observation of an Obstetric Unit and Alongside Midwifery Unit across everyday shifts (days, weekends and nights) for a period of 4 - 6 months in an NHS Trust with an appropriate number of beds to provide sufficient volume and case complexity data. Follow up interviews of up to 20 midwives and obstetricians will take place at mid point ethnography to clarify findings, probe for further detail, and explore the impact (if any) of working within a national context of concern about maternity care.REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/SC/0215
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jul 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion