College Students' Knowledge and Attitudes About Cesarean Birth

Abstract

Background: Numerous clinicians and researchers have expressed concern about the necessity and potential adverse consequences of many cesarean births in the United States. The purpose of this study was to explore college students' attitudes and beliefs about cesarean section. Methods: One hundred two college students (66% women) completed a 20-item questionnaire that asked i f they viewed cesarean delivery as a potentially negative experience, as a normal or acceptable method of childbirth, and as medically necessary, and asked about their beliefs concerning risk and prevention of cesarean birth. Results: The number of "undecided" responses in the study was striking (7.8% to 69.6% across the 20 items). In general, women and men responded similarly, although women were signijicantly more likely than men to say they would be profoundly disappointed if their babies had to be delivered by cesarean section. Despite expressing cynicism about the cesarean birth rate (40% agreed that many unnecessary cesarean births occurred) and not viewing the procedure as a normal way of giving birth (47%), most respondents (over 70%) disagreed that giving birth by cesarean would be a negative experience or would make a woman feel like a failure. Conclusion: A high level of uncertainty exists about certain aspects of cesarean birth among young women and men, highlighting the need for information for prospective parents. Most college students did not view the cesarean birth experience as either potentially negative or normal. Future research should explore coverage of cesarean birth in childbirth education classes and the roles physicians, nurses, and midwives play in preparing expectant parents for the possibility of cesarean delivety. (BIRTH 24:3, September 1997) Over the past 25 years, the number of women in the United States giving birth by cesarean section has increased dramatically. In 1970 approximately one in 20 births was by cesarean section; in 1988 the rate was nearly one in four (1,2). Since 1988, however, the rate has declined. In 1994, 22 percent of women delivered by cesarean section (I), and in 1995 the rate declined to 20.8 percent (3). Despite the recent reduction, the striking rise in the cesarean birth rate during the latter part of this century reflects the "medicalization" of Claudia Lampman

“It's All the Rage These Days”: University Students' Attitudes Toward Vaginal and Cesarean Birth

“…A minority of male and female participants expressed a preference for a cesarean delivery (nearly 9%). This rate is somewhat lower than the rate of 13 percent reported in a comparable survey of college students by Lampman and Phelps (15), but significantly higher than the actual prevalence of woman‐initiated cesarean section in British Columbia (20). A retrospective chart review of all nulliparous deliveries at seven British Columbia hospitals between June 1, 2002, and May 31, 2004, revealed a prevalence of woman‐initiated cesarean section of less than 1 percent (20).…”

“…Currently, little is known about the childbirth views and birthing preferences of the next generation of women and men most likely to become parents, that is, college‐aged women and men. Few studies of the beliefs and attitudes of this population about reproductive issues were found in the published literature (14–17). Only one study, conducted in 1996, reported the prevalence of cesarean and vaginal birth preferences among reproductive‐aged men and women who had yet to bear children (15).…”

“…Few studies of the beliefs and attitudes of this population about reproductive issues were found in the published literature (14–17). Only one study, conducted in 1996, reported the prevalence of cesarean and vaginal birth preferences among reproductive‐aged men and women who had yet to bear children (15). Of the 102 college students, 13 percent indicated that they would prefer to deliver their infants by cesarean section; the remainder was undecided (16%) or preferred a vaginal delivery (71%).…”

“…Of the 102 college students, 13 percent indicated that they would prefer to deliver their infants by cesarean section; the remainder was undecided (16%) or preferred a vaginal delivery (71%). This study was based on a small sample with the results for both genders reported together (15). No study explored reasons for preferring vaginal or cesarean delivery in this population.…”