Abstract
The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the perception of women regarding long-term effects of childbirth education on future health-care decision making. This qualitative study used a purposive sample of 10 women who participated in facilitated focus groups. Analysis of focus group narratives provided themes in order of prevalence: (a) self-advocacy, (b) new skills, (c) anticipatory guidance, (d) control, (e) informed consent, and (f) trust. This small exploratory study does not answer the question of whether childbirth education influences future health-care decision making, but it demonstrates that the themes and issues from participants who delivered 15–30 years ago were comparable to current findings in the literature.
Authors: Jane Leach, PhD, RNC< IBCLC, Betty Bowles, PhD, RNC, IBCLC, Lauren Jansen, PhD, RN, and Martha Gibson, PhD, RN, CHES
Publication Date: 2017
Doi: 10.1891/1058-1243.26.1.49