What Should Be Discussed When Considering a Vaginal Birth? A Delphi Consensus Study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Spontaneous vaginal births are often the presumed choice, representing 45% of UK births. However, information about benefits and risks is inconsistently given, impacting decision-making and experience. A Core Information Set (CIS) is an agreed set of information points discussed prior to a decision. We aimed to develop a CIS for vaginal birth.

Design

A Delphi study was used to create the CIS. Information points were identified from a literature search, patient leaflets, interviews, and a survey. These informed a two-round Delphi survey, where stakeholders rated item importance. Items rated critically important by ≥ 80% of parents or professionals, and of limited importance by < 15%, progressed to consensus meetings, where 20 parents and professionals discussed reta

SUBMITTER: Demetri A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12770075 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature