Abstract overview:
The setting in which birth occurs plays a central role in shaping a woman’s experience and perception of safety and empowerment during the perinatal period. Effective and transparent communication throughout perinatal care is crucial, as it empowers women to make well-informed decisions regarding their birth environment and procedures, thereby enhancing their overall childbirth experience. However, the right of women choosing the birth setting is not universally protected or supported by existing healthcare systems.

Aim:
This literature review aims to examine how the place of birth in relation to informed consent serves as an indicator of the quality of maternity care during the perinatal period.

Methodology:
A literature review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024 were retrieved from databases including PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL. Inclusion criteria focused on studies exploring the relationship between birth setting, informed consent, and perinatal care quality.

Results:
Findings reveal significant variability across different healthcare systems. In countries where midwifery-led care and community-based birth options are supported through policy and infrastructure, women often still choose hospital births, feeling confident in their autonomy and available choices. Conversely, in settings where options are limited or institutionalized care dominates, some women report turning to home birth as a form of reclaiming control, even in the absence of formal support systems. These patterns underline the complex interplay between informed consent, perceived safety, and birth setting preference.

Conclusion:
Promoting informed choice in maternity care is critical to improving perinatal outcomes and maternal satisfaction. Healthcare systems must prioritize the development of supportive infrastructures and respectful care models that genuinely uphold women's autonomy in choosing their place of birth, thereby enhancing the overall quality of perinatal care.