What are the information and decision-support needs of women planning mode of birth in routine antenatal care in high-income countries? A qualitative evidence synthesis

Journal article

Background NICE guidance recommends that pregnant women should be engaged in evidence-based discussions about planned mode of birth (MOB) options. Decision aids can assist these discussions; however, no such resource exists for routine antenatal care. This qualitative evidence synthesis aimed to identify the information and decision-support needs of women planning MOB in high-income countries. Methods We searched seven electronic bibliographic databases for articles published in English from 1st January 2011 up to 15th November 2022. Studies were included if they provided qualitative data from current/previously pregnant women, without specific complications, about their information and decision support needs when planning MOB in a high-income country. Identified sub-themes were grouped and mapped onto three pre-established global themes: Important information needs, Decision support needs and Timing of decision support. Quality assessment was conducted using the CASP checklist for qualitative studies. Results Thirty-three studies of 2764 participants were included. Most studies were of adequate quality. Women want clear, balanced information comparing the risks/benefits of planned vaginal or caesarean birth. They were frustrated that they often received inadequate and/or unbalanced information. Information about other women’s experiences was often valued more than impersonal information. Conclusions A decision aid is needed to support personalised and balanced MOB discussions as part of routine antenatal care in the NHS

Authors: Robertson, C; Cruickshank, M; Brazzelli, M; Ekong, A; Ade, M

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Journal: NIHR Open Research
• Volume: 6
• Pages: 4-4
• Publication date: 2026-01-08
• DOI: 10.3310/nihropenres.14178.1
• EISSN: 2633-4402
• ISSN: 2633-4402
• Language: English
• Keywords: Quality (philosophy); Information needs; Caesarean section; Qualitative research; Checklist; Decision aids; Decision support system; MEDLINE; Qualitative property