Is there a 'typical' consumer of obstetric services?

Each user of the maternity services will have a different service experience. The experience will vary depending on the place of birth, type of antenatal care, delivery and postnatal support. However, to be effective service providers, the provision ought to be responsive to the needs of the consumers. This paper considers the development of the maternity services, reflecting on the current environment in which the provision is delivered and attempts to characterise users of the provision to facilitate an understanding of consumer needs. This research considered primigravidae and multiparous users of the maternity provision and explored their access to information and their use of information with particular consideration of their referent groups. This study produced interesting results, not least that both primigravidae and multiparous users are prepared to abdicate responsibility for some aspects of their decision-making to medical professionals. Sub-categorisations of primigravida and multipara users and various socio-economic groups were also constructed.