Involvement of first-time mothers with different levels of education in the decision-making for their delivery by a planned Caesarean section. Women’s satisfaction with information given by gynaecologists and midwives

Abstract

Aims We investigated the involvement of first-time mothers, who had a planned Caesarean section, in the decision to have a Caesarean section, taking into account their different educational levels. Subjects and methods A self-assessment questionnaire was sent in July 2005 to women who had undergone a Caesarean section in 2004. Participants were 2,685 members of a statutory health insurance fund who had given birth by Caesarean section (response rate: 48.0%). Included were primiparae with planned Caesarean section (n=352). Results The women in this cross-sectional study felt well informed about the procedure of a section but not its consequences. They used several sources of information and were most satisfied with the information provided by doctors and midwives. Of the women in this study 20% did not have a midwife. No major differences were observed between different educational levels. Conclusion Although most women were satisfied with their decision, they felt that they did not receive enough information about the consequences of a Caesarean section. This information need could be met by a further involvement of midwives in maternity care.

The Cesarean Decision Survey

“…Future studies could compare the women's perceived reasons for the cesarean with the actual diagnosis listed by the health-care provider. Regardless of reasons for the cesarean or the information women used, the results of this study indicate the participants were satisfied with their decision and the information provided, which is contrary to other findings (Kolip & Buchter, 2009;Puia, 2013). Although the results indicated the women were satisfied with the information provided, the actual content of the discussions or the context of the conversations were not recorded; therefore, it is not clear how the interactions may have affected the women's decisions and recollections.…”

“…The nurses unanimously felt the women did not have adequate information about the risks of cesarean surgery and the long-term complications (Puia, 2010). Similar findings were found by Kolip and Buchter (2009) who explored the decision-making process to have a cesarean surgery using a qualitative approach. A self-assessment questionnaire was administered to 2,685 first-time mothers who underwent a cesarean surgery to determine the level of satisfaction with the information provided as well as with the outcome.…”

“…A self-assessment questionnaire was administered to 2,685 first-time mothers who underwent a cesarean surgery to determine the level of satisfaction with the information provided as well as with the outcome. Most women were happy with their decision, but almost 40% felt they had not received enough information about the consequences of a cesarean (Kolip & Buchter, 2009).…”

First-Time Mothers’ Experiences of a Planned Cesarean Birth

“…The literature validates the results of this study which reveal satisfying experiences were not restricted to only those women who wanted a cesarean birth (Blomquist, Quiroz, Macmillan, McCullough, & Handa, 2011;Blüml et al, 2012). The influence of negative expectations, provider behavior, and adequacy of information on women's experiences and levels of satisfaction was also supported (Bryanton et al, 2008;Kolip & Büchter, 2009;Puia, 2013a;Redshaw & Hockley, 2010). Several participants in this author's study also discussed how their partners were unprepared for the realities of a cesarean birth, leading to an increased amount of fear.…”

Fatores associados à cesariana entre primíparas adolescentes no Brasil, 2011-2012

“…Some authors claim that one of the reasons women undergo unnecessary caesarean sections is lack of information about the possible consequences of this procedure during pregnancy 27,28 , thus undermining their power of choice 12 .…”