Table 3 Themes and subthemes identified during the analysis process

Home delivery as the norm

• Perception of the hospital

○ Perceived role of the hospital

○ Fear of the hospital

• Previous experience and outcomes

Collective decisions

• The role of the pregnant woman

○ 1st time mothers

○ Multigravida mothers

• The influence of female family members

• The role of male family members

• The influence of the TBA

Perceptions and expressions of bodily symptoms

• Symptoms motivating different types of treatment

• Bearing up with the pain

○ The value of being a strong woman

○ Preventing a crowd

• Perceptions of risk

○ Immoral behaviour and complications

○ Fear of witchcraft

Role of God

• Explanation of problems/complications

• Fatalistic approach

○ Marked by God

• Justification of actions

Flexibility and dynamics in health seeking

• Use & accessibility of ‘Oporto’ medicine

• Use & accessibility of traditional medicine

• Free Health Care Initiative

• Bylaws