Autonomy of woman in pregnancy and during labor.

THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS The bachelor thesis deals with the woman's autonomy during pregnancy and childbirth. The theoretical part summarizes aspects related to the pregnant woman's choice. On the one hand the choice is supported by a wide range of professional documents and on the other hand, the individual woman's choice and needs determine to decide on what is happening during pregnancy and childbirth. It is important to mention the documents in which the autonomy of women is firmly established, for example the Convention on Biomedicine and internationally recognized code of ethics for midwives or initiative called Ten Steps to optimal maternity care. In practice, autonomy is realized through the nursing process. The thesis deals with real woman's options of choice during pregnancy and birth process at each stage. Working in a chronological sequence describes the process of pregnancy and childbirth including situations that directly require or encourage pregnant women to decision-making. The theoretical part also portrays the birth process according to available resources and under the usual conditions prevailing in the Czech obstetrics including individual choice resulting from them for a pregnant woman. The practical part of the thesis presents the results of research through specific wishes and choices of pregnant women. These outcomes regard pregnancy and childbirth including factors that have an impact on a pregnant woman in matters of pregnancy and birth process. AIMS OF THE STUDY The survey aims to explain which decisions regarding pregnancy and childbirth are considered to be important for a pregnant woman. The second part of the research is to explore what factors influence the decision of a pregnant woman factors in matters of pregnancy and childbirth. THE METHODS USED To find the information needed qualitative research was used the depth interviews. The data were collected with women after spontaneous delivery at the Department of confinement. The data was analyzed in depth by the "paper and pencil" and then divided into four categories. All results of the research have been confronted with available theoretical knowledge in discussion. RESULTS The research showed that the interviewed women do not have much need to participate in decision making on issues related to pregnancy or childbirth. According to statements respondents applied most often when deciding on the choice of hospital, presence of a loved one, and in the case of non-pharmacological methods of pain control. In situations where expert knowledge was conditional the interviewed women left the autonomy in the hands of personnel. As the second part of the research turned out, two factors influence the decision making process during childbirth. The main determinants of the autonomy of pregnant women is awareness and current psychological state. It was found that awareness and current psychological state are the main determinants of the pregnant woman's autonomy in matters relating to pregnancy and childbirth. Internet and experience (own or indirect) were identified as the most frequently mentioned source of information for pregnant women. CONCLUSION Research investigation was able to roughly identify the wishes of women during pregnancy and childbirth. The autonomy support of pregnant women requires a higher level of awareness of women and individual approach. The knowledge gained can be presented at a seminar for midwives. Results of the investigation would be appropriate to supply with a quantitative method that would complement the problems of the statistical value