| For this study, I conducted semi-structured interviews with fourteen part-Native
Hawaiian women residing in Hawai’i between the ages of 26 to 42 who have had a live birth
within the last five years. I asked women about their perceptions of childbirth choices, what they
consider an “ideal birth”, why they prefer specific childbirth types, and how educational
attainment, culture, and digital media influence their choices and perceptions. The findings
suggest that Native Hawaiian women consider a safe, vaginal childbirth with little to no medical
intervention to be the “ideal birth” and that having prior childbirth knowledge is essential when
choosing a childbirth type, the place of birth and how to help with the postpartum period. Culture
also had a significant impact on women’s choices.
Keywords: Native Hawaiian, women, ideal, birth, childbirth, choice |