What influence's a pregnant woman's choice in where to give birth?

A new analysis in Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care has identified several factors that influence women's decisions about where to give birth—such as in birth centers, in the home, or in hospitals.

The analysis included 23 published studies on the topic. Four themes emerged to describe factors influencing birth setting decision-making among people who can become pregnant in the United States: safety versus risk of different settings; influence of media, family, and friends; the presence or absence of choice and control during labor and birth; and access to options (either physical or financial).

"Understanding how people decide where to give birth can support informed decision-making about a given birth setting's ability to fit their needs and affect their experiences and outcomes," said lead author Erin George, CNM, MSN, of Boston College. "Such research is also necessary to underscore the importance of building a comprehensive system of high-quality perinatal health in the United States that ensures equitable access to all birth settings."