What Women Have to Say about Giving Birth in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Reporting the voices of women giving birth in KSA in order to inform policy developments within the Saudi maternity healthcare system is important to understand what the women want from the service and how to improve it. Aim: to explore current birthing services in KSA from care consumers’ perspectives by reporting women’s birthing experiences and voices. Methods: Within the first 24 hours after giving birth in one of the three selected public hospitals, 169 women shared their birth experience through their responses to an open-ended question on a questionnaire or by contributing in one-to one conversation with the researcher. Findings: Thematically analysing 169 written responses and notes for conversation have produced two main categories which include themes and a number of sub-themes. The first and major category is “The relationship between women and care providers during birth” which is considered by most women the leading cause for better and satisfied birth experience if this relationship is characterised by support, respect, trust, and empowerment. The second category is “Hospital rules and policies and childbirth experience” especially if these policies restrict women’s choices and are brought into action without full explanation to women about why these policies are active. Conclusion: Maternity care policy makers in Saudi Arabia have to consider women’s voices in building and reviewing maternity policies and focus on empowering childbearing women and ensuring safe motherhood.