Exploring perspective of women with a history of physiological childbirth regarding the factors influencing the desire to choose physiological childbirth: qualitative study

Pregnancy and childbirth are sensitive and stressful stages in women's lives, therefore, in this dangerous and stressful time, women need more and better-quality care and support. The present study aims to explain factors affecting the desire to choose physiological delivery from the perspective of women with a history of physiological delivery.

This research is a qualitative study in which 11 women with a history of physiological childbirth, 8 midwives working in the maternity hospital and a gynecologist were selected based on the goal and with maximum diversity. The data were collected using a semi-structured interview, organized in word format, and analyzed with conventional content analysis method.

Regarding the explanation of the women’s perspective about the factors affecting physiological childbirth, three general themes of social facilitators, individual facilitators and empowerment of service providers were extracted, and family support and community support, spiritual support for empowering women, reforming the curriculum of midwifery education and retraining personnel in the field of professional ethics were placed in subthemes.

If women supported physically, emotionally and socially by family and society and sympathetic caregivers, their ability and self-confidence are maximized, they can record a positive experience of physiological childbirth.