Dear users, if you are aware of relevant global research that is not included in our database and relates to obstetric violence, we invite you to write to us. We accept open-source research from any country in the world. Your collaboration is essential to enrich our collection and support researchers worldwide. Likewise, if you find any errors, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Susann Huschke
This study explores women's involvement in decision-making during pregnancy and birth in Ireland through in-depth interviews with 23 women conducted in 2019–2020. Despite progressive national policies on informed choice, maternity care remains highly medicalized and paternalistic. By presenting personal accounts, the research goes beyond describing the system's shortcomings to examining the underlying causes, linking findings to international literature on authoritative knowledge, technocratic hospital cultures, and risk-based birth discourses. The article concludes with practical, evidence-based recommendations to improve women's participation in decision-making.
Claire Beecher, Richard Greene, Laura O’Dwyer, Ethel Ryan, Mark White, Michelle Beattie, Declan Devane
This review examines self-report surveys on women's maternity care experiences, revealing gaps in methodological and psychometric quality. A search of 4,905 records identified 20 instruments, many lacking reliable validation, limiting their credibility for evaluating care quality and guiding resource allocation. Published evidence on the methodological and psychometric quality of self-report survey instruments for evaluating women's maternity care experiences is limited. The development and reporting of these instruments should be improved.
National Maternity - Experience Survey 2020
Most women surveyed in late 2019 had positive experiences with maternity care provided by GPs, practice nurses, and midwives, though variations in care quality were noted across Ireland. GPs were often the first point of contact in pregnancy, but some women felt they needed more information on mental health changes. Attendance at the 2-week postnatal check-up varied, with lower rates in northwest counties. While most women understood the answers provided by healthcare professionals, many felt that their physical and mental health were not adequately discussed at the 6-week check-up. Free-text responses highlighted both the supportive attitudes of GPs and the need for more personalized postnatal care.