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.
