Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
Women Birth. 2012 Sep;25(3):e11-8. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2011.07.147. Epub 2011 Aug 9.
The home birth rate in Sweden is less than 1 in 1000, and home birth is not included within the health care system. This study describes women's experiences concerning reactions to their decision to give birth at home.
A nationwide survey (SHE--Swedish Homebirth Experience) in Sweden was conducted between 1992 and 2005 whereas 735 women had given birth to 1038 children. Of 1038 questionnaires 1025 were returned.
In the questionnaires an open-ended question asked women to report their experience of reactions to their decision to give birth at home The question was answered by 594 women, and data were analysed using content analysis.
The analysis yielded one overarching theme; "To be faced with fear for life and death" including being exposed to reactions about risks. This describes attitudes of professionals and family towards life and death and suggests perceptions of risk and fear of unexpected events. Four main categories were identified; Seen as an irresponsible person, Met with emotional arguments, Exposed to persuasion and Alienation.
Women who plan for a home birth were confronted with negative attitudes and persuasion to make them change their mind. This made them feel alienated, and they searched for support among like-minded. Negative attitudes from health care professionals may erode their confidence in conventional health services and turn them towards other options.
Women who want to give birth at home should be given evidence-based information about risks and benefits. Enhanced knowledge among public and professionals about home births would improve the options for respectful encounters.
瑞典的家庭出生率不到千分之一，而且家庭分娩不在医疗保健系统范围内。本研究描述了女性对在家分娩决定的反应体验。
1992 年至 2005 年，在瑞典进行了一项全国性调查（SHE--瑞典家庭分娩体验），当时有 735 名妇女分娩了 1038 名婴儿。在 1038 份问卷中，有 1025 份被收回。
在问卷中，一个开放式问题要求女性报告她们对在家分娩决定的反应体验。有 594 名女性回答了这个问题，数据分析采用内容分析法。
分析得出一个总体主题；“面临生与死的恐惧”，包括面临有关风险的反应。这描述了专业人员和家庭成员对生与死的态度，并暗示了对风险的看法和对意外事件的恐惧。确定了四个主要类别；被视为不负责任的人、遇到情绪化的争论、被说服和被疏远。
计划在家分娩的女性面临着负面态度和劝说，要求她们改变主意。这使她们感到被疏远，她们在志同道合的人中寻找支持。医疗保健专业人员的负面态度可能会削弱她们对传统医疗服务的信心，并促使她们转向其他选择。
希望在家分娩的女性应该获得有关风险和益处的循证信息。提高公众和专业人员对家庭分娩的认识将改善尊重的机会。
