Shared decision making in midwifery

Abstract

Abstract Most women want to be involved in and share decision making during pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood. However, achieving shared decision making (SDM) is not straightforward and can be impacted negatively by circumstances and clinical situations. This chapter defines SDM in midwifery and identifies what makes it different from other related concepts and how it is conveyed or not in key documents from global organizations. The chapter also identifies how SDM can be operationalized and facilitated or hindered in practice, and research on women’s and midwives’ perspectives. When SDM is effective, women are more satisfied with their childbirth experiences and rate their experiences as positive. The last words are from a woman on her experiences of intrapartum care when SDM was not practised and where she can only imagine how powerful a woman would feel if she was included in all decisions about her care.