title: Exploring factors influencing Chinese women's decision to have elective caesarean surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to identify the factors that influence Hong Kong Chinese women's decision to have an elective caesarean section. To explore Chinese women's perceptions of their autonomous involvement in childbirth decision-making.
  
  
  METHODS
  a qualitative exploratory design.
  
  
  METHODS
  a postnatal ward of a private hospital in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  a purposive sample of six postnatal women who had undergone an elective caesarean section.
  
  
  RESULTS
  four thematic categories were identified including: avoiding fetal and maternal risks, exercising autonomy to make an independent choice, Chinese belief systems, and rejoicing and regretting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  we propose the provision of a 'named' midwife and continuity of care. Improving the availability of information on caesarean sections, accommodating a Chinese belief system in the planning of midwifery services at the international level and establishing post caesarean section peer support groups are recommended.
authors.affiliation: The Open University of Hong Kong, 30 Good Shepherd Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong. yklee@ouhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holroyd
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000523:psychology*; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011247:Pregnancy