Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41255065›Full record

ArticleBJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology2026

What Should Be Discussed When Considering a Vaginal Birth? A Delphi Consensus Study.

Andrew Demetri, Anna Davies, Danya Bakhbakhi, Alexandra Hunt, Sharea Ijaz, Sheelagh McGuinness, Gemma Beasor, Gemma Clayton, Vicky Bradley, Eve Bunni and 7 more

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In one paragraph

Article in BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Andrew DemetriUniversity of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Anna DaviesUniversity of Bristol, Bristol, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0743-6547
Danya BakhbakhiUniversity of Bristol, Bristol, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1906-5069
Alexandra HuntHealth Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Sharea IjazUniversity of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Sheelagh McGuinnessUniversity of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Gemma BeasorPatient Representative, Bristol, UK.
Gemma ClaytonUniversity of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Vicky BradleyDepartment of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Eve BunniDepartment of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4991-3728
Carol KingdonDepartment of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Andrew SharpDepartment of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3396-7464
Christy BurdenUniversity of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Asma KhalilDepartment of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Louise KennyFaculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Abi MerrielDepartment of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0352-2106
Options Collaborative Group

Funding

National Institute for Health and Care ResearchResearch England Policy Support Fund
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveSpontaneous vaginal births are often the presumed choice, representing 45% of UK births. However, information about benefits and risks is inconsistently given, impacting decision-making and experience. A Core Information Set (CIS) is an agreed set of information points discussed prior to a decision. We aimed to develop a CIS for vaginal birth.

designA Delphi study was used to create the CIS. Information points were identified from a literature search, patient leaflets, interviews, and a survey. These informed a two-round Delphi survey, where stakeholders rated item importance. Items rated critically important by ≥ 80% of parents or professionals, and of limited importance by < 15%, progressed to consensus meetings, where 20 parents and professionals discussed retained items. The final CIS was populated with an engagement group ensuring accessibility.

settingThe study took place in the UK, with participants recruited online. POPULATION: Pregnant and postnatal women, birth partners, healthcare professionals, medicolegal professionals, and representatives from relevant organizations. MAIN OUTCOME: A CIS for vaginal birth.

results77 information items were identified. In round 1 (631 participants) of the Delphi Survey, 84.5% were from the patient group and 15.5% from the professional group; in round 2 (228 participants), 74.3% were from the patient group and 25.7% from the professional group. 29 items met the criteria for consensus discussion. The final CIS includes 19 information points addressing: labour process, pain relief, labour complications, procedures or interventions during labour, experiences after birth, outcomes for the baby and labour environment.

conclusionsThis CIS can facilitate discussions and support informed decision-making about vaginal birth.

Indexed as

Decision MakingDelivery, ObstetricParturitionAdultConsensusDelphi TechniqueFemaleHumansPregnancyUnited Kingdomconsensuscore information setDelphi techniqueinformed consentstakeholdersvaginal birthwomenwomen's health

Identifiers

PMID41255065
PMCPMC12770075

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.