Files
Document type
ArticleVersion
Published versionPublication date
Publication license
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/228935
Impact of shared decision-making on women’s childbirth preferences: A cluster randomised controlled trial
Journal Title
Director/Tutor
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Related resource
Abstract
Background: Midwives provide counselling for birth plans (BPs) to women during prenatal care; however, the impact of individualised BP counselling interventions based on shared decision-making (SDM) regarding women’s preferences is unknown. Methods: This randomised cluster trial included four primary healthcare units. Midwives provided BP counselling based on SDM to women in the intervention group (IG) during prenatal care along with a handout about evidence-based recommendations. Women in the control group (CG) received standard BP counselling from midwives. The main outcome was preference changes concerning BPs. Results: A total of 461 (95.5 %) pregnant women received BP counselling (IG, n = 247; CG, n = 214). Women in the IG changed their BP preferences for 13 items compared with those in the CG. These items were: using an unique space during birth (81.1 % vs 51.6 %; p < 0.001), option for light graduation (63 % vs 44.7 %; p < 0.001), listening to music (57.3 % vs 43.6 %; p = 0.006), drinking fluids during labour (84.6 % vs 93.6 %; p = 0.005), continuous monitoring (59 % vs 37.8 %; p < 0.001); desire for natural childbirth (36.6 % vs 25 %; p = 0.014), epidural analgesia (55.1 % vs 43.6 %; p = 0.023); breathing techniques (65.2 % vs 50.5 %; p = 0.003), massage (74.9 % vs 55.3 %; p < 0.001); birthing ball use (81.9 % vs 56.9 %; p < 0.001), spontaneous pushing (49.3 % vs 28.7 %; p < 0.001), choosing birth position (69.6 % vs 41.5 %) and delayed umbilical cord clamping (67.8 % vs 44.1 %; p = 0.001). Conclusion: SDM counselling, together with a handout about evidence-based recommendations on childbirth and newborn care, produced more changes in women’s preferences expressed in the BP than standard counselling
Subject
Subject (English)
Citation
Citation
LÓPEZ GIMENO, Encarnación, et al. Impact of shared decision-making on women’s childbirth preferences: A cluster randomised controlled trial . Midwifery. 2024. Vol. 103999, num. 1-9. ISSN 0266-6138. [consulted: 14 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/228935