INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Pregnancy and childbirth are significant events in the lifespan of women, with evidences that these experiences are deeply felt (Simkin, 1991). As one childbearing woman stated, "Giving birth is the ultimate experience a woman can have" (Callister, 1992). In contrast to even a decade ago childbearing today is often a conscious choice. Annually in the United States, about four million women or 7% of women of reproductive age give birth (Grad & Hill, 1992). With the declining birth rate, childbearing has become a once or twice in a lifetime experience with increasing significance to women, an emotional, physical, cultural and spiritual event that has deep meaning (Affonso, 1989; Simkin, 1992; Watson, 1991). Health care providers, either physicians or certified nurse midwives, play an important role in the childbearing experience by sharing information, giving support, providing access to resources, and providing care during childbirth (Inui, Carter, Kukull & Haigh, 1982). In studies of childbearing women, positive childbearing experiences were enhanced if there was a fit between the women and their caregivers (Aaronson, 1987; Chute, 1985). In a 25 year longitudinal study of the memories of childbearing women, the researcher (Simkin, 1991) found, accessibility to health care facility and The way a woman is treated by the professionals on whom she depends may largely determine how she feels about the experience for the rest of her life. Therefore, the selection of a primary health care provider for childbearing is very important to women. The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine factors influencing childbearing women’s choice of health care services

1.2 Statement of research problem

Health care service is a profoundly important aspect of childbearing preparation and has powerful sociocultural implications in some cultures. However, the primary consideration for women in birthplace decision-making is the safety of themselves and their babies as ‘Everyone wants to be safe. Indeed, everyone believes in her own perception and an understanding of what ‘safety’ is all about (Sofolahan-Oladehinde, 2017) with the hope that a safe area confers survival on both mother and the new-born. Although, delivery could take hours, but the effects of the process on the health condition on both the mother and the baby cannot be over-emphasized. It is undeniable that not every birthplace has skilled personnel, yet people deliver in many places. The effect of decision making in choice of health care services is highly influential. One or more of these play out when an expectant mother is making choice of where to put to bed. Significantly, health care has considerable effects on the outcome(s) of delivery both to the neonate and the mother.An expectant mother is faced with many factors which can influence her decision on health care services which may include but not limited to her level of knowledge, accessibility, economic status, perception etc. distance and transport to health services exerts a dual influence on use. The obstacle effect of distance is stronger when combined with lack of transport and poor roads. All these and more will be discussed in the study

1.3 Objectives of the study

The primary objective of the study is as follows

1. To find out why childbearing women make certain decision on the health care services she wants

2. To find out factors  that influences childbearing women’s choice of health care services

3. To find out how to make health care facilities accessible to childbearing women

4. To examine if health care facilities can be improved upon