Objective To develop a caesarean birth core information set. Caesareans are the most common surgery performed in many countries. Women need information for informed decision-making and consent. Core information sets (CISs) provide baseline information, agreed upon by parents and clinicians, for discussion before a procedure. Design Two-phase consensus study using modified Delphi. Setting United Kingdom, 2024 Sample People planning a pregnancy/currently pregnant/new parents and maternity professionals Methods Phase 1: Long-list of information points identified from 273 systematic reviews, 50 patient leaflets, three pre-existing qualitative studies, and a stakeholder survey (n=230); Operationalised into a Delphi questionnaire comprising 11 information points with 108 items. Phase 2: Think-aloud interviews (n=9) informed questionnaire restructure into information about planned caesarean birth, unplanned caesarean birth (within 72 hours), and emergency caesarean birth (EMCB; ≤30 minutes), followed by two-round Delphi survey and consensus meetings. Results N=360 participated in the Delphi survey Round 1. All items were carried forward, and three were added for Round 2 (n=188/56.4% attrition rate). From Round 2, one item was removed, 73 included, and 37 items no-consensus. Free-text responses identified an unmet need for a postnatal EMCB-CIS. Over four meetings (n=36) consensus was reached for an antenatal-caesarean-birth-CIS (14 points), EMCB-CIS (5 points), and a postnatal EMCB-CIS (12 points). Conclusions This study has established three caesarean birth CISs to support informed decision-making discussions between women and clinicians: (1) CIS for planned and unplanned caesareans when there is time for discussion; (2) CIS for EMCB (within 30 minutes); (3) CIS post-EMCB pre-hospital discharge.

Objective: This study aims to develop a core information set (CIS) for induction of labour. A CIS is an agreed set of information points for discussion prior to an intervention. Design: First a long list of information points was identified through a systematic review of reviews, reviewing patient leaflets, analysis of pre-existing qualitative interviews and an initial stakeholder survey. A long list of items was collated before combining and refining alongside an involvement group. Cognitive interviews were undertaken to refine the Delphi Survey before a two-round modified Delphi process where participants voted on the importance of the information items. Pre-specified criteria were used to select the items taken forward to a consensus meeting. Participants were recruited via UK hospital sites, online and social media platforms and included parents and professionals. Setting and population: Participants were recruited via UK hospital sites, online and social media platforms and included parents and professionals. Main outcome: A core information set for induction of labour. Results: 199 information points were identified through systematic review (110), patient information leaflets (162), qualitative interviews (58) and a survey (93). 46 unique information items entered the first Delphi round after 4 cognitive interviews, 2 items were added following round 2. 368 people (310 parents/ 58 professionals) participated in round 1 and 177 people (154 parents/23 professionals) in round 2. 44 items met inclusion criteria; 1 item excluded, and 3 items were carried forward for consensus meeting discussion where 12 overarching information points were agreed upon. Conclusion: This CIS can help to inform and support discussions about induction to enable parents to make informed decisions about birth.

Objective Spontaneous vaginal births are often the presumed choice and represent 45% of UK births. However, information is inconsistently given about benefits and risks. This impacts decision-making and experience. A Core Information Set (CIS) is an agreed set of information points discussed prior to a decision. We aimed to develop a CIS for vaginal birth. Design Information points were identified from a literature search, patient information leaflets, interviews, and a survey. These informed a two-round Delphi survey, where stakeholders voted on the importance of items for inclusion. Items supported by >80% of participants were discussed by 28 parents and professionals at consensus meetings. The final CIS was populated with an engagement group ensuring accessibility. Setting The study took place in the UK, with participants recruited online. Population Pregnant and postnatal women, birth partners, healthcare professionals, medico-legal professionals and people working for interested/relevant organisations. Main outcome A CIS for vaginal birth. Results 77 information items were identified. In round 1 (631 participants) of the Delphi Survey, 84.5% were from the patient group and 15.5% from the professional group; in round 2 (228 participants), 74.3% were from the patient group and 25.7% from the professional group. 28 items met the criteria for consensus discussion. The final CIS includes 19 information points addressing: labour process, pain relief, labour complications, procedures or interventions during labour, experiences after birth, outcomes for the baby and environment during labour. Conclusions This CIS can be used to facilitate discussions and support informed decision-making about vaginal birth.