Birth “outside of guidance”—An exploration of a Birth Choices Clinic in the United Kingdom

Abstract

BackgroundDecision‐making around birthplace is complex and multifactorial. The role of clinicians is to provide unbiased, evidence‐based information to support women and birthing people to make decisions based on what matters to them. Some decisions may fall outside of clinical guidance and recommendations. Birth Choices Clinics can provide an opportunity for extended discussion and personalized birthplace planning.This study aimed to explore the rationale behind choosing birthplace “outside of guidance” and examine the outcomes for women who attended a Birth Choices Clinic.MethodsThe study was descriptive using data extracted from clinical documentation and consultation. The data included demographic information, maternal characteristics, reason for choosing a midwifery‐led birth setting, birthplace preference, and outcome.ResultsEighty‐two women used the Birth Choices Clinic between April 2022 and February 2023 in one large maternity unit in the UK. Reasons for choosing birth in a midwifery‐led setting included having access to a birthing pool, to reduce the chance of obstetric interventions and pragmatic reasons. Sixty‐five percent of women experienced a spontaneous vaginal birth, 10% experienced an assisted vaginal birth, and 23% experienced a cesarean birth. Of the 33 women who ultimately commenced labor care in a midwifery‐led setting, 76% (n = 25/33) birthed in this setting without complications. Transfer rates in labor were similar to those in a “low‐risk” pregnant population.DiscussionBirth choice clinics may facilitate an understanding of material risk and support individualizing birth planning. There is evidence that women changed their planned birthplace, possibly in recognition of a move along the risk spectrum.