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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
We are listening: Partnering with women to co-design a decision aid for birth options after a previous caesarean
1
Metro North Health- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre, Brisbane, Australia
2
Metro North Health, Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre, Brisbane, Australia
3
The University of Queensland, Senior Research Fellow- Consumer and Community Involvement in Clinical Trials, Brisbane, Australia
4
Metro North Health, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital- Obstetrics, Brisbane, Australia
5
Metro North Health- Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Anaesthetics, Brisbane, Australia
6
Metro North Health, Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre- Consumer, Brisbane, Australia
7
Office of the Chief Midwife Officer CEQ - Queensland Health, Clinical Excellence Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A191
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To provide women with evidence-based information to make decisions on their birth choices after a previous caesarean.
DISCUSSION:
Many women who have experienced a caesarean birth describe it as traumatic or negative, often seeking a more positive experience for subsequent births. Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) is a safe and viable option, yet only 13% of women choose to plan a VBAC in Australia, despite success rates reaching up to 87% in midwifery-led models of care. Research highlights that women who pursue VBAC frequently encounter barriers in navigating their choices, including limited support and inconsistent information. In response, Metro North Health (Queensland, Australia) was commissioned by Clinical Excellence Queensland to co-design a decision aid aimed at improving women’s birth experiences and facilitating meaningful discussions with healthcare professionals. This initiative aligns with Clinical Excellence Queensland’s Birth Strategy, which prioritises consumer-focused resources that promote informed, shared decision-making. The co-design process brought together women with lived experience of caesarean birth, midwives, obstetricians, and academic experts. The resulting decision aid is currently being digitalised to create an interactive tool tailored to women’s needs. A pilot implementation is planned within a maternity unit, with full rollout scheduled for early 2026 following a comprehensive evaluation. Preliminary results from the pilot will be available by January 2026. This project demonstrates the value of listening to women and involving them directly in the design of tools that support autonomy, choice, and respectful maternity care.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Queensland Health. Queensland Birth Strategy 2024-2030. A guide for clinicians. Queensland Health, 2024. Queensland Birth Strategy 2024-2030 Townsend, B., Fenwick, J., McInnes, R., & Sidebotham, M. (2023). Taking the reins: A grounded theory study of women's experiences of negotiating water immersion for labour and birth after a previous caesarean section. Women and Birth, 36(2), e227-e236.
KEY MESSAGE:
Co designing decision aids with women ensures they are tailored to their needs Labour and birth - induction
To provide women with evidence-based information to make decisions on their birth choices after a previous caesarean.
DISCUSSION:
Many women who have experienced a caesarean birth describe it as traumatic or negative, often seeking a more positive experience for subsequent births. Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) is a safe and viable option, yet only 13% of women choose to plan a VBAC in Australia, despite success rates reaching up to 87% in midwifery-led models of care. Research highlights that women who pursue VBAC frequently encounter barriers in navigating their choices, including limited support and inconsistent information. In response, Metro North Health (Queensland, Australia) was commissioned by Clinical Excellence Queensland to co-design a decision aid aimed at improving women’s birth experiences and facilitating meaningful discussions with healthcare professionals. This initiative aligns with Clinical Excellence Queensland’s Birth Strategy, which prioritises consumer-focused resources that promote informed, shared decision-making. The co-design process brought together women with lived experience of caesarean birth, midwives, obstetricians, and academic experts. The resulting decision aid is currently being digitalised to create an interactive tool tailored to women’s needs. A pilot implementation is planned within a maternity unit, with full rollout scheduled for early 2026 following a comprehensive evaluation. Preliminary results from the pilot will be available by January 2026. This project demonstrates the value of listening to women and involving them directly in the design of tools that support autonomy, choice, and respectful maternity care.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Queensland Health. Queensland Birth Strategy 2024-2030. A guide for clinicians. Queensland Health, 2024. Queensland Birth Strategy 2024-2030 Townsend, B., Fenwick, J., McInnes, R., & Sidebotham, M. (2023). Taking the reins: A grounded theory study of women's experiences of negotiating water immersion for labour and birth after a previous caesarean section. Women and Birth, 36(2), e227-e236.
KEY MESSAGE:
Co designing decision aids with women ensures they are tailored to their needs Labour and birth - induction
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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