Prebirth Education and Childbirth Decision Making

This article explores women's attitudes and preferences toward childbirth decision making after reading a prebirth educational brochure. A phenomenological inquiry into the meaning ascribed to women's preferences and attitudes toward C-sections and natural childbirth before and after reading a prebirth educational brochure revealed three main themes for women, including attitude formation, childbirth decision making, and prebirth education. Preferences and attitudes toward decisions about childbirth changed after reading prebirth educational information. These findings suggest that informing women of the risks and benefits of C-sections and natural childbirth may improve childbirth health care and increase women's understanding about the childbirth experience.