title: A provoking choice--Swedish women's experiences of reactions to their plans to give birth at home.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden. ingela.sjoblom@mah.se
authors.forename: Ingela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sjöblom
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Idvall
authors.forename: Ingela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rådestad
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lindgren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006700:Home Childbirth / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult