Table 1 Mixed methods approach to survey development from the ‘four factors’

Control - how ‘in control’ the woman felt over her decisions, choices and outcomes

“because I think apart from that I was in control the whole way. There was at no point somebody said to me, “No, you can’t do that, ... I think the continuity of care, having this same midwife for every single appointment, she stayed with me from the moment I laboured until I went to recovery and so that made a huge difference.” (Arabelle, PN, MGP).

• Did you have a birth plan?

• Did your maternity care provider support all of your birth plan?

• Did you feel in control of your decision making?

• MADM scores

• Birth trauma questions

Confidence - includes the woman’s belief in her ability to have a VBAC but also how confident she felt her health care provider was in her ability to have a VBAC

“I found it really encouraging that she’s, she agrees with me and she’s confident as well that I can get a relatively medicine free VBAC which is awesome because you don’t often get that from many other places, so that made me feel a bit better.” (Bianca, 38/40, PPM)

• How confident did you feel in your body’s ability to have a VBAC?

• Do you feel your maternity care provider was confident in your ability to have a VBAC during your pregnancy?

• Do you feel your maternity care provider was confident in your ability to have a VBAC during labour and birth?

• Did your maternity care provider think you should or should not schedule another caesarean?

• MADM scores

Relationship – how respected and supported she felt from her health care provider and the quality and continuity of that support

“I didn’t really have an appointment with my midwife as such, but I’ve been in contact with her quite a bit over the last 2 days and I’ve spoken to her for over 1/2 an hour today so in my eyes it’s pretty close to what you would do in an appointment anyway.” (Calista, 38/40, MGP)

• On average, how long were your prenatal visits?

• Did you experience any positive support from maternity care providers when planning a VBAC?

• Did you feel that your primary maternity care provider protected you from negativity within the health care team due to your birth choices?

• Did you receive any unhelpful or hurtful comments from a maternity care provider while planning a VBAC?

• MORi scores

Active labour - whether the woman was able to stay active in labour, including minimising interventions, and how this impacted her experience

“I had hot water like fall off on my back and that was really it. I kind of just used water for the most part, water and quietness” (Bianca, PN, PPM).

• What position did you birth your baby?

• How active were you in labour?

• Did your maternity care provider encourage you to be active or vocal in labour?

• When you were admitted to the hospital (or at home) and had your first internal vaginal exam, how many centimetres was your cervix dilated (opened)?

• Did your maternity care provider try to induce your labour?