"Letting themselves go during care" - exploring patient autonomy during co-designed intrapartum care in a Beninese maternity ward.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patient autonomy is central to the provision of respectful maternity care. Enabling women to make decisions free of discrimination and coercion, and respecting their privacy and confidentiality can contribute to positive childbirth experiences. This study aimed to deepen the understanding of how patient autonomy is reflected through social practices during intrapartum care in Benin.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with women and midwives, a focus-group discussion with women's birth companions, and non-participant observations in the delivery room were conducted within the frame of the ALERT research project. This study analysed data through a reflexive thematic analysis approach, in line with Braun and Clarke.

Results

We identified two themes and five su

SUBMITTER: Neufeld NSR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11363672 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature