Here are 8 factors that influence birth choices:

1. The Birth Stories of Family and Friends.

The experiences of our mother, aunts, sisters, close friends and co-workers will influence our perceptions of birth.  Women surrounded by positive birth stories that welcome birth are more likely to choose a natural birth.  Women who hear less positive and even traumatic experiences will be more open to interventions.  For those women with preconceived notions, they are likely to be careful about who they share their plans with, choosing supportive people to confide in.

2. The Partner’s Feelings

The experience and perceptions of the woman’s partner affect her birth plans and experiences.  Some partners will bring fear, others calm, some disinterest, and others may be controlling.  This will influence the experience of the pregnancy, birth preparation and eventual birth.

3. Hollywood Birth Stories

The visual media is one of the most potent influences of how birth is perceived.  Often, these images are confirmed by dramatic tales shared by family and friends.

4. Childbirth Classes

Women with preconceived notions were likely to choose independent classes that reflected their desires.  For women without these notions, they were likely to attend the classes provided by the hospital, and these would influence their choices.  As these classes vary between institutions, they can be either uninformative and biased or very productive.

5. Information Sources

Women tended to choose sources that reflected their desire, leaving them feeling supported and confirming their notions.  For many women, random information may be provided via family and friends (a book or suggested resource), which influences their choices.  For others, the only information available to them is that from the care provider and any googling they do for themselves. Podcasts and social media are common sources.  Some sources are better than others, and as with hollywood birth stories, influencers on social media can create unrealistic expectations.  

6. Care Provider

For many women experiencing pregnancy for the first time, they usually have the pregnancy confirmed with their general practitioner (GP).  The GP is likely to refer them to standard public care, or private care if you have insurance.  There are several models of care, however, and not all are available in all areas.  The majority of births occur in the standard care public system. This can be very fragmented and may limit your choices. The options available to you will be limited by care provider’s skills and experience, and the available facilities.

7. Witnessing another’s birth

For women who had witnessed another woman birthing, this experience greatly influenced the way they wanted to birth.  If the experience had been positive, they may desire to replicate it for themselves, choosing similar care providers and making similar choices.  If the experience was not positive to witness, the woman may make conscious choices to avoid a similar experience.

8. Previous Personal Experiences

For those women who have given birth before, they will find that experience influences their choices.  A previous traumatic experience may require debriefing (preferably with an impartial professional).  A positive past experience may mean a more relaxed approach to the next birth.

See also:
Informed Decisions

*  Regan, M., McElroy, K.G., and Moore, K. (2013) Choice? Factors That Influence Women’s Decision Making for Childbirth J Perinat Educ. 2013 Summer; 22(3): 171–180.