References

Al Farizi S, Ernawati E, Ernawaty EW Cesarean delivery Characteristics during JKN Implementation. Indonesian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2022; 10:(3)157-162 https://doi.org/10.32771/inajog.v10i3.1593

Australia Department of Health. Improving maternity services in Australia: the report of the maternity services review. 2009. https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2009-02/apo-nid3540.pdf (accessed 7 January 2025)

Behruzi R, Hatem M, Goulet L, Fraser W, Misago C Understanding childbirth practices as an organizational cultural phenomenon: a conceptual framework. BioMed Central. 2013; 13:(205) https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-13-205

Borrelli SE, Walsh D, Spiby H First-time mothers' expectations of the unknown territory of childbirth: uncertainties, coping strategies and “going with the flow”. Midwifery. 2018; 63:39-45 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2018.04.022

Carroll M, Daly D, Begley CM The prevalence of women's emotional and physical health problems following a postpartum haemorrhage: a systematic review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2016; 16:(1) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-1054-1

Christiaens W, Nieuwenhuijze MJ, de Vries R Trends in the medicalisation of childbirth in Flanders and the Netherlands. Midwifery. 2013; 29:(1)e1-e8 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2012.08.010

Coxon K, Chisholm A, Malouf R, Rowe R, Hollowell J What influences birth place preferences, choices and decision-making amongst healthy women with straightforward pregnancies in the UK? A qualitative evidence synthesis using a ‘best fit’ framework approach. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2017; 17:(1) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-017-1279-7

Curtin M, Savage E, Leahy-Warren P Humanisation in pregnancy and childbirth: a concept analysis. J Clin Nurs. 2020; 29:(9–10)1744-1757 https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15152

Dahlen HG, Downe S, Jackson M, Priddis H, de Jonge A, Schmied V An ethnographic study of the interaction between philosophy of childbirth and place of birth. Women Birth. 2021; 34:(6)e557-e566 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.10.008

Davis-Floyd R The technocratic, humanistic, and holistic paradigms of childbirth. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2001; 75:(S1)S5-S23 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7292(01)00510-0

Falk M, Nelson M, Blomberg M The impact of obstetric interventions and complications on women's satisfaction with childbirth a population based cohort study including 16,000 women. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019; 19:(1) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-019-2633-8

Fathi Najafi T, Latifnejad Roudsari R, Ebrahimipour H A historical review of the concept of labor support in technocratic, humanistic and holistic paradigms of childbirth. Electron Physician. 2017; 9:(10)5446-5451 https://doi.org/10.19082/5446

Fisher C, Hauck Y, Fenwick J How social context impacts on women's fears of childbirth: a western Australian example. Soc Sci Med. 2006; 63:(1)64-75 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.11.065

Gould D Subliminal medicalisation. Br J Midwifery. 2002; 10:(7)424-459 https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2002.10.7.10583

Gustafsson S, Raudasoja M Experiences of success and failure in childbirth. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2024; 1-21 https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2023.2301380

Hammond A, Priddis H, Ormsby S, Dahlen HG Improving women's experiences of perineal suturing: A pragmatic qualitative analysis of what is helpful and harmful. Women Birth. 2022; 35:(6)e598-e606 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.02.008

Hoffmann L, Hilger N, Riolino E, Lenz A, Banse R Partner support and relationship quality as potential resources for childbirth and the transition to parenthood. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2023; 23:(1) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05748-6

Howell-White S Choosing a birth attendant: the influence of a woman's childbirth definition. Soc Sci Med. 1997; 45:(6)925-936 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(97)00003-8

Public health program indicators in the RPJMN and Ministry of Health plan 2020-2024 [Pedoman Indikator Program Kesehatan Masyarakat dalam RPJMN dan Renstra Kementerian Kesehatan].Jakarta, Indonesia: Indonesian Ministry of Health; 2020

Provision of health services for the pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, childhood, and after birth period, contraception services and sexual health service.Jakarta, Indonesia: Indonesian Ministry of Health; 2021

Lee S, Ayers S, Holden D Decision-making regarding place of birth in high-risk pregnancy: a qualitative study. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2016; 37:(2)44-50 https://doi.org/10.3109/0167482X.2016.1151413

Lobel M, Yali AM, Zhu W, DeVincent C, Meyer B Beneficial associations between optimistic disposition and emotional distress in high-risk pregnancy. Psychol Health. 2002; 17:(1)77-95 https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440290001548

Lothian JA Why natural childbirth?. J Perinat Educ. 2000; 9:(4)44-46 https://doi.org/10.1624/105812400x87905

Michael TO, Agbana RD, Naidoo K Exploring perceptions of cesarean sections among postpartum women in Nigeria: a qualitative study. Women. 2024; 4:(1)73-85 https://doi.org/10.3390/women4010006

Miller S, Abalos E, Chamillard M Beyond too little, too late and too much, too soon: a pathway towards evidence-based, respectful maternity care worldwide. Lancet. 2016; 388:(10056)2176-2192 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31472-6

Naeem M, Ozuem W, Howell K, Ranfagni S A step-by-step process of thematic analysis to develop a conceptual model in qualitative research. Int J Qual Methods. 2023; https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205789

Naughton SL, Harvey C, Baldwin A Providing woman-centred care in complex pregnancy situations. Midwifery. 2021; 102 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103060

Niles PM, Baumont M, Malhotra N Examining respect, autonomy, and mistreatment in childbirth in the US: do provider type and place of birth matter?. Reprod Health. 2023; 20:(1) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01584-1

Palinkas L, Horwitz SM, Green CA, Wisdom JP, Duan N, Hoagwood K Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2015; 42:(5)533-544 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y

Health, financing, and equity impact of enhanced private midwife contracting under Indonesia's national health insurance scheme. 2022. http://www.healthpolicyplus.com/ns/pubs/1864619113_IndonesiaPrivateSectorContracting.pdf (accessed 7 January 2025)

Papoutsis D, Antonakou A Normal childbirth: the natural, non-medical, alternative approaches to the most common medical interventions in labor. Eur J Midwifery. 2023; 7:(December)1-3 https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/174525

Pintassilgo S, Carvalho H Trends and consequences of the technocratic paradigm of childbirth in Portugal: a population-based analysis of birth conditions and social characteristics of parents. Sex Reprod Healthc. 2017; 13:58-67 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2017.06.003

Preis H, Chen R, Eisner M Testing a biopsychosocial model of the basic birth beliefs. Birth Issues in Prenatal Care. 2018; 45:(1)79-87 https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12313

Renfrew MJ, McFadden A, Bastos MH Midwifery and quality care: findings from a new evidence-informed framework for maternal and newborn care. Lancet. 2014; 384:(9948)1129-1145 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60789-3

Santos GD, Zhang J The rise in cesarean births and the technocratic medicalization of childbirth in late-reform China. Mod China. 2024; 50:(5)531-567 https://doi.org/10.1177/00977004241231474

Sarella A, Glynou A, Kontoyannis M, Palaska E, Chasalevri E, Tsotra EM Maternal request for caesarean section after a negative birth experience: a systematic review. Eur J Midwifery. 2023; 7 https://doi.org/10.18332/ejm/172215

Silaen M, Tarigan N, Lubis R Analysis of the policy of the relationship between BPJS health provider clinics and independent midwife practices as a network. Jurnal Prima Medika Sains. 2020; 2:(1)18-23 https://doi.org/10.34012/jpms.v2i1.974

Sorrentino F, Greco F, Palieri T Caesarean section on maternal request-ethical and juridic issues: a narrative review. Medicina. 2022; 58:1-12 https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58091255

Bringing private midwives into Indonesia's national health insurance scheme: a landscape analysis’.Yogyakarta: Universitas Gadjah Mada Center for Reproductive Health; 2020

Sys D The experience of women giving birth after cesarean section — a longitudinal observational study. Healthcare. 2023; 11:(1806)1-16 https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121806

Has Indonesia's national health insurance scheme improved access to maternal and newborn health services?. 2017. http://www.healthpolicyplus.com/ns/pubs/8226-10432_IndonesiaJKNAccesstoMNHservicesBahasa.pdf (accessed 7 January 2025)

Viirman F, Hess Engström A, Sjömark J Negative childbirth experience in relation to mode of birth and events during labour: a mixed methods study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2023; 282:146-154 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.01.031

Villarmea S A philosophy of birth: if you want to change the world, change the conversation. Open Res Eur. 2021; 1 https://doi.org/10.12688/openreseurope.13333.1

Walsh D Part five: why we should reject the bed birth myth. Br J Midwifery. 2000; 8:(9)554-558 https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2000.8.9.8075

White SW What is normal birth, and why does it matter?. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2022; 62:(4)463-465 https://doi.org/10.1111/ajo.13582

Wilson KL, Sirois FM Birth attendant choice and satisfaction with antenatal care: the role of birth philosophy, relational style, and health self-efficacy. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2010; 28:(1)69-83 https://doi.org/10.1080/02646830903190946

Youssef A, Salsi G, Cataneo I Fundal pressure in second stage of labor (Kristeller maneuver) is associated with increased risk of levator ani muscle avulsion. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2019; 53:(1)95-100 https://doi.org/10.1002/uog.19085

Pregnancy

Birth philosophy and experience based on birth place: an ethnographic study in Indonesia

02 February 2025
Research
02 February 2025
Volume 33 · Issue 2

Abstract

Background/Aims

A woman's childbearing philosophy and the birth environment's paradigm will affect her experience of birth. This ethnographic study aimed to explore the interaction between birth philosophy, place of birth and birth experience.

Methods

Interviews were held with 16 postpartum women at hospitals and public health centres, conducted at 1 week and 42 days postpartum. Observations were also taken on implementation of birth in both settings. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Participants viewed birth as a medical problem that required assistance from healthcare professionals. The health system supported technocratic childbirth, particularly as a result of the referral system, which eliminated midwives' role in providing a natural birth.

Conclusions

The healthcare system should prioritise women's comfort during birth. Women should be given information about natural birth during antenatal care, and healthcare professionals should avoid behaviour that encourages women to give birth technocratically.

Implications for practice

Private midwives need the opportunity to provide independent services, and midwives need training on women-centred care. Birth planning could be used to increase women's capacity and authority over their bodies.

Literature has shown that birth place has an important impact on the process of birth (Walsh, 2000), as it influences women's comfort, assurance and control over their bodies (Niles et al, 2023). Gould (2002) argued that a hospital environment fosters a birth procedure defined by a comprehensive medical approach, while Walsh (2000)noted that ‘bed birth’ affected women's mobility. Several factors are known to contribute to a positive birth experience, including an appropriate temperature, floor coverings, comfortable pillows, privacy, control over the presence of a birth companion, the freedom to have food and drink, access to a birthing pool and easy access to a toilet (Walsh, 2000). Nevertheless, the use of these elements in birthing centres worldwide remains infrequent (Niles et al, 2023).

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting British Journal of Midwifery and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for midwives. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included

  • Limited access to our clinical or professional articles

  • New content and clinical newsletter updates each month

Register
Or continue by

Signing in with your registered email address

Birth philosophy
Birth place
Childbirth experience
Health system