Birth Preferences

 

Kevin Drai 6060801

Ricardo Palacios 5438725

Laiba Mahammad 6264778

Hannah Pastor 6173910

Alejandra Fernandez 5199891

Pedro Roman 6189725

DEP 2000 RVC 1211

Dr. Maria L. Reid

1/29/21

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

Introduction pg. 3

 

Method pg. 4

 

Results/Demographics pg. 5-9

 

Interpretation/Conclusion pg. 10-13

 

Appendix (Raw Data) pg. 14-17

 

References pg. 18

 

Questions pg. 19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Introduction

Many mothers or soon-to-be-mothers have several different choices on how they choose

to deliver their baby along with the decision of where to give birth. According to the textbook

“Developmental Psychology: Stories in Context” written by Chrysalis Wright, the mother can

choose where to deliver her baby, such as a hospital, birthing center outside of a hospital, or even

at home. She can choose who could stay in the room with her such as the husband/father of the

child, family members, or even close friends. There are even different options for pain

management, such as the use of anesthesia or may opt for a natural birth by sitting in different

positions during labor and delivery. Lastly, the mother could choose who delivers the baby, the

doctor, or the nurse-midwife (Wright, 2017).

Women have a variety of options that fit their level of comfort during childbirth. However, as

of recently, research has shown that giving birth from home has higher safety rates as opposed to

giving birth in a hospital or birthing facility. Furthermore, home births have shown a decrease in

the number of inductions, augmentations, episiotomies, operative vaginal births, and

cesarean-sections (Boucher, et.al., 2009).

The expansion of the field in obstetrics provides many women the opportunity to choose how

and where to deliver their child. Many people have different opinions in the matter and each

contain their own share of advantages and disadvantages in regard to their control, comfort,

freedom to move, and the likelihood of fewer interventions (Boucher, et.al., 2009). This survey

was conducted in order to view which birthing preference would be most favorable to women.

 

 

 

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Method

Each of the 6 group members chose 5 individuals, using convenience/opportunity sampling,

to answer the short birth preference survey, for a total of 30 respondents. Group members

selected the respondents based on how easily they are available to answer the survey questions as

well as a level of familiarity. The respondents were each interviewed in person where the group

members were able to record their answer to the questions on paper or on phone. They were all

given a brief overview for the purpose of this research study beforehand and each of the

members received verbal consent to participate.

For the topic chosen (Activity B; Birth Preference), the 30 respondents were asked to answer

5 questions:

1.) Which of the following do you think is the best place to give birth?

2.) Who do you think should be present at birth?

3.) Which medical personnel should be present at birth?

4.) Should pain killing medications be given to the woman giving birth?

5.) How far should doctors go to save the life of a newborn child who is at high risk for

severe physical or mental disabilities?

Once the survey questions have been answered, the results were uploaded to the group file on

Canvas where it was compiled into a single excel sheet. With this, a table of the general

demographic was made. In addition, pie charts were made to show the percentage between the

genders, age range, level of education, and occupation of the participants. A bar graph was made

to differentiate between employed and unemployed participants. Lastly, a mix of bar graph and

pie charts were used to display the results of the questions answered by each respondent

 

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Results/Demographics

This survey studied 30 respondents which were chosen by all of our group members. This

survey was conducted to view the most favorable birthing preferences for women.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1: Surveyed respondent’s gender ratio

Among the 30 respondents, 18 of them are females, which is 60% of the sample, whereas the

remaining 12 consisted of males, which accounts for 40% of the sample, as shown in Figure 1.

Since convenience/opportunity sampling was performed, meaning we selected people who were

able to easily answer our research questions on the spot, we had a variety of respondents of

various age groups, levels of

education, and employment

status. From the 30 people

surveyed, 10 of them (33.3%) fell

within the range of ages 17 to 21,

6 of them (20%) fell within the

range of ages 22 to 26, 4 of them

Figure 2: Surveyed respondent’s age range

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(13.3%) fell within the age range of 27 to 31, 2 of them (6.7%) fell within the age range of 36 to

40, 5 of them (20%) fell within the age range of 46 to 50, only one person fell within the range of

55 to 59 years of age, and lastly, one other person fell within the range of 60 to 65 years of age.

The age range of the participants in the

study can be viewed in Figure 2.

Among the difference in age and

genders displayed, the participants also

have different levels of education: 10

(33.3%) of the 30 people surveyed had

a highschool education, graduating

 

Figure 3: Survey respondent’s level of education

with either a highschool diploma or GED. Only one participant (3.3%) did not graduate with a

diploma or GED as of yet, since they are currently enrolled as a senior at a high school. 6 (20%)

of the participants are either still in

college or did not receive a degree,

whereas 8 (26.7%) received an

associate’s degree, 4 (13.3%)

received a bachelor’s degree, and

lastly, only one person (3.3%) of

the participants surveyed received

Figure 4: Surveyed respondent’s employment status

an MD degree. The level of education of the participants can be seen in Figure 3. Of the 30

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participants, only 8 (26.7%) of them are not employed and the remaining 22 people (73.3%) are

employed. This can be seen in Figure 4.

When participants filled out the

survey, the first question asked “Which

of the following do you think is the

best place to give birth?”, with the

answer choices of hospital, birthing

center attached to a hospital, birthing

center separate from a hospital or

Figure 5: Respondents’ Answers to Question 1

home. 25 (83.3%) of the respondents answered hospital, which was what the majority of them

chose. 4 (13.3%) of the respondents answered to give birth at a birthing center attached to a

hospital, and lastly 1 person

(3.3%), chose to give birth at

home. None of the participants

have chosen to give birth in a

birthing center separate from a

hospital. The results of these

questions can be seen in Figure

5. Question 2 of the survey

Figure 6: Respondents’ Answers to Question 2

asked participants “Who do you think should be present at birth?”, with the answer choices of

husband/father of child, parents/family of mother, childbirth coach, friends of mother, other

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children, or other (in case they wanted to choose a specific answer choice) where the majority of

the respondents, 27 of the 30

participants (90%), answered to have

their husband/father of their child

present. The remaining 3 participants

(10%) chose to have the mother’s

family present. None of the

participants chose the remaining

answer choices (childbirth

Figure 7: Respondents’ Answers to Question 3

coach, friends of mother, other children, or other). The answers chosen by each of the

respondents can be seen in Figure 6. Question 3 of the survey asked the participants “Which

medical personnel should be

present at birth?”, the answer

choices included a medical

doctor/obstetrician or a registered

nurse/midwife. 27 (90%) of the

participants chose to have a

medical doctor/obstetrician

present, where the remaining 3

Figure 8: Respondents’ Answers to Question 4

(10%) would rather have a registered nurse/midwife. The results for this question can be seen in

Figure 7. Question 4 of the survey asked the participants “Should pain killing medications be

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given to the woman giving birth?”. This was a free-response type question where the respondents

voiced their opinion on the subject. A majority of them, 22 of the 30 participants (73.3%), said

yes to give pain killing medication to the woman giving birth, whereas the remaining 8

participants (26.7%) only said yes if it was necessary to the mother to carry on without

complication. The respondent’s answers to this question can be seen in Figure 8. The fifth and

last question of the survey asked “How far should doctors go to save the life of a newborn child

who is at high risk for severe physical or mental disabilities?”. All 30 of the participants (100%)

have chosen for doctors to save the child, using every resource available in order to accomplish

that. The results of this question can be seen in Figure 9 and the responses from each individual

participant can be seen in the appendix section.

 

Figure 9: Respondents’ Answers to Question 5

 

 

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Interpretation/Conclusion

Soon-to-be mothers have many choices to make when it comes to birth preferences. The

focal point of this survey was to investigate these choices that participants will be making in

regard to their childbirth preferences. Some of these choices included place of birth, who should

be present at birth, whether or not medications should be used to ease the pain of the mother, and

how far medical personnel and the parents should go in order to save the life of a newborn child

at high risk for physical or mental disabilities.

We conducted a survey on 30 people from different backgrounds who were asked

questions based on these childbirth preferences. The survey was conducted by level of

convenience, meaning we did not go out looking for an equal amount of male and female or all

female or male. We used this method in order to see how the people we mainly interact with feel

about these choices. This method has many pros and cons; the main pro being that they are

cheap, efficient, and simple to conduct. Therefore, through the use of this method the data can be

easily obtained from the people close to us. One of the main disadvantages of convenience

sampling is that there can be possible bias in data gathering, meaning that the results may not be

from an entire population. Also, the results of convenience samples are hard to replicate because

there will be dramatic differences in answers from different participant lists.

As part of the survey, we obtained the participant’s gender, age, level of education,

marital status, and occupation. This was done to give us an idea of the type of people we

surveyed and help us interpret why they chose their responses. We surveyed 18 females and 12

males with ages ranging from 17 to 60, and education levels from high school to a master’s

degree. We examined each of their views on childbirth preferences and created pie charts to

interpret this data as seen in our results/demographics section.

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The results indicated that the majority of participants preferred to give birth at a hospital

followed by birthing centers. The majority preferred this place of birth because they feel safer

and know that there are medical personnel available in case of emergency. This is also shown by

the results where participants were asked what personnel they would want present at the birth,

90% chose to have a medical doctor or obstetrician present, while 10% chose to have a registered

nurse or midwife present. However, pregnant mothers who intend to give birth at home suffer

from less birth interventions than mothers who intended on giving birth within a hospital

(Retisima, et al. 2020). In a study consisting of approximately 500,000 pregnant women

intending to give birth at home, none of them died and this group was less likely to have an

emergency caesarean section or other birth-related issues when compared to the group of low

risk women who intended giving birth at a hospital (Retisima, et al. 2020).

The data recorded shows how most participants believe that giving birth at a hospital is

the more desirable location, however in terms of health and safety for the mother, at-home births

provide greater odds of avoiding any harm or damage being done to the mother. In terms of

health repercussions for the child, the data shows that regardless of whether or not the mother

decides to give birth at a hospital or at home, the rates of ​stillbirth, neonatal mortality, or

morbidity rates do not differ (Retisima, et al. 2020)​. This information shows that the perception

of safety is not necessarily accurate regardless of what educational level any of the participants

might have.

Following the results in the data, 90% of participants answered that they would prefer the

father of the child being present during the birth according to. A father’s presence is beneficial to

the child and the mother, as both the child and the mother are likely to be healthier. However, if

the father is not present, the odds of the child and mother being unhealthy or ill during the

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birthing process increases (Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato, 2020). Therefore, given this knowledge,

it is reasonable to understand why most participants would want the father present at birth.

Following these results 90% of participants stated that they would want to have a

medical doctor or obstetrician present while 10% of the respondents stated they would prefer a

registered nurse or midwife. According to a study conducted in 2009, data was gathered on the

impacts midwives and physicians had on mothers giving birth. Within this study the rate of

perinatal death per 1000 births was 0.35 in mothers who had pre planned at home births versus a

perinatal death rate of 0.64 per 1000 births in mothers who were accompanied by physicians in

pre-planned hospital birth (Janssen, et al. 2009). This data demonstrates how almost double the

prenatal deaths occurred when in the presence of a physician and within a hospital.

Furthermore, women about to give birth have the option to decide if they want pain

killers at birth to help ease the pain. In 2015, a study was done where about 73 percent of women

in the U.S. chose to give birth with some type of pain killer (Mollie Bloudoff-Indelicato, 2020).

This high percentage likely shows that the pain of labor is so unbearable, that easing them with

medication is quite common. This information also shows us that our participants’ responses to

this question is along the same lines with 73.3 percent saying yes to applying the painkillers and

26.7 saying yes, if needed.

As concerning as it may be, many parents and families are faced with tough decisions

regarding the survival of their newborn who might be at high risk of suffering from severe

physical or mental disabilities. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, birth

defects affect one in every 33 babies born in the U.S. each year (CDC, 2008). Just like our

participants who all responded that all necessary means should be taken in order to help the baby

survive, we also believe that all the necessary action should be taken.

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In conclusion, this study was conducted in order to view which birthing

preference is most favorable to everyone based on a sample of people surveyed.

According to the study, the most common preference is for birth in a hospital with the

husband/father of the child present. In addition to this, the participants found medical

doctors/obstetricians to be much more favorable over registered nurses/midwives.

Furthermore, none of the participants were opposed to using medicated pain killers for

labor, and some preferred it to be used when needed. When it came down to saving the

life of a child at risk for physical and mental disabilities, all of the participants agreed to

use every resource at their disposal and all medical personnel efforts to save the child’s

life. Hopefully this study can be used as a reference for future mothers or soon-to-be

parents in order to view different options available and the ones preferred by the

majority. Based on each one’s perspective, an informed final decision can be made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Appendix

 

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Sex Age Highest Level of Education

Marital Status

Occupation Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5

Female 55 Some college Married Visual Merchandiser

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

Yes The Doctors should save the child at all costs regardless of these risks. A mother loves their child regardless of possible disabilities.

Male 49 Some college Married Store Manager Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

Yes Yes the doctors should attempt to save the life of any unborn child despite disabilities.

Male 17 Senior in High school

Single Bagger Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

Yes Yes they should go all the way.

Female 27 High school Single POS Coordinator

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Register ed Nurse/ Midwife

Yes You should always try to save the life of a newborn.

Female 21 Junior in college

Single Customer Service Manager

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

Yes Of course, everything should be done to save the baby regardless of the risks, but the best efforts should be taken to try to minimize it.

Female 20 Associate’s degree

Single Unemployed Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes, if need ed

Do everything we possibly can

Male 24 GED Single Teacher Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/

yes Do everything possible.

 

 

 

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Obstetri cian

Female 21 Bachelor’s degree

Single Unemployed Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes Whatever it takes.

Female 36 High school Married Unemployed Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes, if need ed

Doctors should do whatever they can to save the child.

Female 20 Associate’s degree

Single Unemployed Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes Whatever possible to save the child should be done.

Female 48 Some college Single Vehicle Inspector

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes Yes, 100%.

Female 20 Some college Relations hip

Tutor Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes Make the most effort to save.

Female 64 High school Single Unemployed Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes All the way/Try their best.

Male 18 Some college Relations hip

Unemployed Home Husband/ Father of Child

registere d Nurse/ Midwife

yes, if need ed

As far as they can without hurting the mother.

Male 49 Bachelor’s degree

Married Police Officer Hospital Parents of mother

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes, if need ed

100% give their best.

Female 22 Associate’s degree

Single Front desk worker at PT office

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes Everything possible.

 

 

 

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Male 22 Associate’s degree

Single Physical Therapist Assistant

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes 100% do everything.

Female 50 Associate’s degree

Married UM health insurance Verifier

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes Anything that wouldn’t hurt the baby or mom.

Female 23 High school Married Army/Human Resources

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes Everything possible.

Male 23 High school Married Army Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes Make every effort possible to save them.

Male 28 Bachelor’s degree

Married Journalist/Car Consultant

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes All the way to help the child survive.

Female 26 High school Married Patient Service Representative

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes, if need ed

Use all available resources.

Female 40 High school Married Office Manager

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes, if need ed

As far as the parents permit.

Male 28 GED Single Relationship Associate

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes, if need ed

As much as the mother feels is necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Female 28 Associate’s degree

Single Pharmacy Technician

Hospital Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes, if need ed

To the best of their abilities.

Male 19 Associate’s degree

Single Associate Birthing Center attached to hospital

Husband/ Father of Child

Register ed Nurse/ Midwife

yes Yes, until the child is deceased

Male 19 Associate’s degree

Single Unemployed Hospital Parents of mother

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes Yes, until the child is deceased

Female 19 High school Single Unemployed Birthing Center attached to hospital

Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes As far as they can

Female 46 MD degree Married Psychiatrist Birthing Center attached to hospital

Husband/ Father of Child

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes yes, until the baby dies

Male 50 Bachelor’s degree

Married Nurse Birthing Center attached to hospital

Family of mother

Medical Doctor/ Obstetri cian

yes yes, until the baby dies

 

 

 

References

Bloudoff-Indelicato, M. (2020, April 18). Preparing for Birth Without Pain Medication.

Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/article/unmedicated-birth.html Boucher, D., Bennett, C., McFarlan, B., Freeze, R. (2009). Staying Home to Give Birth: Why

Women in the United States Choose Home Birth. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, Volume 54, Issue 2, Pages 119-126. ISSN 1526-9523. (​http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1526952308003383​)

Janssen, P. A., Saxell, L., Page, L. A., Klein, M. C., Liston, R. M., & Lee, S. K. (2009).

Outcomes of planned home birth with registered midwife versus planned hospital birth with midwife or physician. ​CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale canadienne​, ​181​(6-7), 377–383. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.081869

Miller, B. (2016, Sep 12). 7 Pros and Cons of Convenience Sampling. Retrieved from

https://greengarageblog.org/7-pros-and-cons-of-convenience-sampling Reitsma, A., Simioni, J., Brunton, G., Kaufman, K., & Hutton, E. K. (2020). Maternal outcomes

and birth interventions among women who begin labour intending to give birth at home compared to women of low obstetrical risk who intend to give birth in hospital: A systematic review and meta-analyses. ​EClinicalMedicine​, ​21​, 100319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100319

Wright, C. (2017). Developmental Psychology: Stories in Context 3rd edition. Kendall Hunt.

 

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Questions

 

1.) Why do you think a majority of the respondents chose the hospital to be the best place to give birth at?

 

2.) Does the level of education of each participant surveyed affect their chosen responses to the questions?

 

3.) How did the male respondents’ answers differ from the female respondents’ answers in regards to childbirth preferences?

 

4.) Does the participant’s employment status affect the way they respond to childbirth preferences?

 

5.) If you were a participant in our study, what would you answer for each of the questions given?

 

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