A Phenomenological Analysis of Rural Women’s Childbirth Preferences

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.