Womenʼs reflections on induction of labour and birthing interventions and what they would do differently next time: A content analysis

Background

Induction of labour (IOL) and birth intervention is increasingly conducted in Australia, and rates of maternal dissatisfaction and birth trauma are also on the rise.

Methods

The Birth Experience Study (BESt) national survey was conducted to explore women's experiences of birthing in Australia. This content analysis categorises components pertaining to IOL, and women's responses to the open-ended question: “Would you do anything different if you were to have another baby?”

Findings

In total, 591 responses on IOL resulted in 819 coded comments being coded into multiple categories/subcategories. In the first main category ‘increasing the chance of a spontaneous labour next time by resisting IOL’ (93.3 %), three subcategories were identified: ‘I would resist the pressure or refuse, especially if not a good indication’ (54.8 %, 419); ‘I will await spontaneous onset or delay the IOL until later’ (25.0 %, 191); and ‘I will be better informed next time’ (20.2 %, 154). In the second main category ‘accepting IOL was necessary or desirable’ (6.7 %), two subcategories were identified: ‘my IOL was justified or desired’ (38.2 %, 21) and ‘my IOL was justified or desired, but if there is a next time, I'd want more say in what happens’ (61.8 %, 34).

Conclusion

Overwhelmingly women expressed a desire to avoid IOL, along with the intention to: resist pressure, allow more time for spontaneous labour onset, and arm themselves with more knowledge to advocate against non-medically indicated justifications. Amongst the minority accepting of their previous IOLs, the majority stated wanting more say regarding when and how IOL was conducted.