RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Social support network of Brazilian Amazonian women to subsidise the decision-making power of planned home birth: a qualitative study JF BMJ Open JO BMJ Open FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group SP e080662 DO 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080662 VO 14 IS 11 A1 Reis, Laena Costa dos A1 Beviláqua, Jannaina Campos A1 Alves, Valdecyr Herdy A1 Penna, Lucia Helena Garcia A1 Dias Da Silva, Sílvio Éder A1 Parente, Andressa Tavares A1 Vieira, Bianca Dargam Gomes A1 Pereira, Audrey Vidal A1 Carneiro, Marcia Simão A1 da Conceição, Natalia Tifanny A1 Calandrini, Tatiana do Socorro dos Santos A1 Pereira, Rafaela Chagas A1 Almeida, Malena da Silva A1 Rodrigues, Diego Pereira YR 2024 UL http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/11/e080662.abstract AB Objective To understand the social support network of Amazonian women when making decisions about planned home births.Method Descriptive, exploratory, qualitative research.Setting Planned home birth care, accompanied by obstetric nurses, in the state of Pará, Brazil.Participants 20 women who had a planned home birth in the metropolitan region of the state of Pará, Brazil. These women were surveyed by a team of obstetric nurses working in home birth care. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted at the women’s homes between August 2021 and February 2022, with the audio captured on an mp3 device. The data were analysed at the same time as the data collection. Each interview was transcribed and content analysis was used to process the data.Results The social support network shares experiences and knowledge between women in order to guarantee knowledge and not perpetuate traumatic episodes during childbirth. This network is a link to women’s power of choice in relation to their own birth, which culminates in successful experiences in the birth process.Final considerations Understanding the social support network for women’s decision-making during planned home births is central to guaranteeing rights and expectations regarding the place of birth. Social support networks need to be expanded by non-governmental groups and by the Unified Health System itself, especially in primary healthcare.Descriptors Women; home childbirth; social support; access to information and nursing.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as online supplemental information. All unpublished data related to this research project are available with the authors and can be requested by emailing to diego.pereira.rodrigues@gmail.com.