Abstract
Women’s agency and reproductive control directly bear their current pregnancy and future childbearing experiences. This study deals with knowledge construction in childbirth planning. The study is based on a phenomenological approach relying on in-depth interviews of sixty married women of childbearing age who have recently been through the birthing process. Cultural discourses provide an understanding of socio-familial context reinforcing traditional home birthing. Findings indicate that the desire for natural childbirth experience, apprehensions regarding obstetric interventions by medical doctors, emotional support, comfort and assistance provided by female relatives, traditional birth attendants, and their husbands’ preference add to their decision for home birthing. In addition, another determinant was the role of authoritative knowledge and shared experiences of older women that may deprive many young women of the chance to access maternal care in hospitals. The study suggests that rural women effectively utilize reproductive health care services in Pakistan.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
