ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how a midwife’s working environment and her own values shape how she influences a woman’s decision-making processes and how a woman’s values, culture and beliefs’ shape her preferred decision-making process. The collaborative decision-making process in maternity care depends on the model of care being practiced. In such an environment, the midwife’s decision-making processes will tend to reflect not only the institution’s protocols and evidence-informed care but also the adopted philosophy and attitudes towards childbirth. A delicate balance must be struck, as collaboration between midwives and other maternity care professionals is crucial for facilitating decision-making process and ensuring women’s choices are respected. The World Health Organization recommends a companion of choice for all women throughout labour and childbirth. Shared decision-making is closely tied to positive outcomes including satisfaction with care, management of health behaviours and health outcomes. Increasing access to the midwifery-led models of care is a key way of increasing women’s decision-making and consequently improving their health.
