Spontaneous vaginal delivery or caesarean section? What do Turkish women think?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe women's feelings, attitudes and beliefs about different modes of childbirth. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the obstetrics clinics of Ege University and Dr Ekrem Hayri Ustundag Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital in Izmir, Turkey. Three-hundred forty-two women who had given birth via spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) or caesarean section (C/S) between June and December 2009 voluntarily agreed to participate. Fifty-seven per cent of participants were aged 20-24. Sixty per cent of the women (n = 205) had undergone C/S during their last delivery; among these women, the birth method of 90% (n = 185) was decided by their doctors, whereas the remaining 10% (n = 20) made the decision themselves or with their partners. Sixty-three per cent (n = 250) of women who underwent C/S said that if they gave birth again, they would prefer to deliver via SVD. Eighty-eight per cent (n = 300) of women wanted the legal right to choose their birth method. Although the rate of C/S was high, most women stated that if given the choice, they would prefer a SVD if they had another child.

Multigravidas' perceptions of traumatic childbirth: Its relation to some factors, the effect of previous type of birth and experience

“…The type of delivery (vaginal or cesarean section), the interventions performed at delivery [25,26], and the communication skills of the midwife and physician who assist delivery are important obstetric factors affecting the way birth is perceived [14,23]. The type of the birth can cause traumatic effects, creating fear in especially in nulliparas and those who had negative previous birth experiences.…”

“…Poor communication, which creates a traumatic effect at birth, also increases the preference of women for a cesarean section [4,25,41]. Sydsjö et al suggested that the rate of cesarean delivery increased by 5.2 times in the women who experienced traumatic pregnancies previously [3].…”

“…If the vaginal birth that is the healthiest delivery type for mothers and newborns is perceived as traumatic, it poses a great risk in increasing the demand for cesarean sections [22,25]. The main reasons why women demand a cesarean section are vaginal birth fear, negative birth experience and stories [26].…”

“…The main reasons why women demand a cesarean section are vaginal birth fear, negative birth experience and stories [26]. Other women's birth experiences are also of great importance in terms women's perception of childbirth and preference of birth type [25]. For this reason, in this study, the sample comprised multigravidas who had previous birth experience.…”

Outcomes Assessment of Pain Relief Techniques Use in Labour in Order to Increase Painless Normal Delivery Rate

“…15% for 50% of countries on the average (1,2). Although caesarean section must be just performed based on medical indications, elective caesarean rate is rising.…”