Do Italian women prefer cesarean section? Results from a survey on mode of delivery preferences (original) (raw)
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Caesarean delivery in South Italy: women without choice. A cross sectional survey
PloS one, 2012
Background: In spite of the World Health Organization's recommendations to maintain caesarean delivery (CD) between 5% and 15% of total births, the rates of CD continue to rise in countries with routine access to medical services. As in Italy CD rate reached 38% in 2008, the highest at EU level, we evaluated socioeconomic and clinical correlates of ''elective'' and ''non programmed'' CD in the Country. We performed a stratified analysis in order to verify whether the effect of such correlates differed among women with an ''a priori'' preference for natural and caesarean delivery respectively.
Background: In spite of the World Health Organization's recommendations to maintain caesarean delivery (CD) between 5% and 15% of total births, the rates of CD continue to rise in countries with routine access to medical services. As in Italy CD rate reached 38% in 2008, the highest at EU level, we evaluated socioeconomic and clinical correlates of ''elective'' and ''non programmed'' CD in the Country. We performed a stratified analysis in order to verify whether the effect of such correlates differed among women with an ''a priori'' preference for natural and caesarean delivery respectively.
Determinants of women's preference for cesarean section
Texto & Contexto - Enfermagem, 2015
A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, documentary, and retrospective research study to identify the determinants of women's preference for cesarean section. The information in this study is from the database extension project Group of Pregnant Women and Pregnant Couples by the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (1996-2013). We used the method of thematic analysis, from which emerged the Choice for Cesarean Section category, with three subcategories: who chooses cesarean section; preference for cesarean section defined during prenatal care; and possibility to choose cesarean section during labor. Of 169 postpartum women who had undergone a cesarean section, 16 chose the procedure. It was found that, in this group, the choice for cesarean section during prenatal care was influenced by the medical authority and, during labor, it was motivated by the prolonged duration and the pain caused by contractions. This study reinforced the importance of health education from the time ...
[Factors associated with preference for cesarean delivery]
Revista de Saúde Pública
To study factors related to preference for cesarean delivery, among pregnant women without medical complications. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 156 pregnant women, in a private clinic in the city of Osasco, State of São Paulo, from October 2000 to December 2001. The pregnant women were at 28 weeks of pregnancy or more, with no formal contraindication for vaginal delivery at the time of the interview. Sociodemographic data and past and present obstetric history were assessed by applying a questionnaire. The pregnant women were specifically asked what their current preference for delivery was. Pearson's Chi-square test and logistic regression for multivariate analysis were performed with a 5% significance level. Sixty-seven pregnant women (42.9%) said they had little motivation to undergo vaginal delivery. In the multivariate analysis, the following variables were statistically significant: previous vaginal birth (p=0.001; ORadj=0.04; 95% CI=0.01-0.12); husband'...
Midwifery, 2011
Objective: to describe the prevalence of women's preference for caesarean section as expressed in mid pregnancy, late pregnancy and one year post partum. An additional aim was to identify associated factors and investigate reasons for the preference. Design: mixed methods. Data were collected from 2007 to 2008 through questionnaires distributed to a Swedish regional cohort of women. The survey was part of a longitudinal study of women's attitudes and beliefs related to childbirth. One open question regarding the reasons for the preferred mode of birth was analysed using content analysis. Setting: three hospitals in the county of Västernorrland in the middle of Sweden. Participants: 1506 women were recruited at the routine ultrasound screening during weeks 17 to 19 of their pregnancy. Findings: a preference for caesarean section was stated by 7.6% of women during mid pregnancy and by 7.0% in late pregnancy. One year post partum 9.8% of the women stated that they would prefer a caesarean section if they were to have another baby. This was related to their birth experience. There were more multiparous women who wished for a caesarean section. Associated factors irrespective of parity were fear of giving birth and a 'strongly disagree' response to the statement regarding that the preferred birth should be as natural as possible. Among multiparous women the strongest predictors were previous caesarean sections, particularly those that were elective, and a previous negative birth experience. Women's comments on their preferred mode of birth revealed five categories: women described caesarean section as their only option relating to obstetrical and/or medical factors; several women stated ambivalent feelings and almost as many described their previous birthing experiences as a reason to prefer a caesarean birth; childbirth-related fear and caesarean section as a safe option were the remaining categories. Key conclusions: rising caesarean section rates seem to be related to factors other than women's preferences. Ambivalence towards a way of giving birth is common during pregnancy. This should be of concern for midwives and obstetricians during antenatal care. Information and counselling should be frequent and comprehensive when a discussion on caesarean section is initiated by the pregnant woman. A negative birth experience is related to a future preference for caesarean section and this should be considered by caregivers providing intrapartum care.
Women’s preferences and mode of delivery in public and private hospitals: a prospective cohort study
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2016
Background: Rates of caesarean section have steadily increased in most middle-and high-income countries over the last few decades without medical justification. Maternal request is one of the frequently cited non-medical factors contributing to this trend. The objectives of this study were to assess pregnant women's preferences regarding mode of delivery and to compare actual caesarean section rates in the public and private sectors. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in two public and three private hospitals in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 382 nulliparous pregnant women (183 from the private sector and 199 from the public sector) aged 18 to 35 years, with single pregnancies over 32 weeks of gestational age were enrolled during antenatal care visits between October 2010 and September 2011. We excluded women with pregnancies resulting from assisted fertility, women with known pre-existing major diseases or, with pregnancy complications, or with a medical indication of elective cesarean section. We used two different approaches to assess women's preferences: a survey using a tailored questionnaire, and a discrete choice experiment. Results: Only 8 and 6 % of the healthy nulliparous women in the public and private sectors, respectively, expressed a preference for caesarean section. Fear of pain and safety were the most frequently expressed reasons for preferring caesarean section. When reasons for delivery mode were assessed by a discrete choice experiment, women placed the most emphasis on sex after childbirth. Of women who expressed their preference for vaginal delivery, 34 and 40 % ended their pregnancies by caesarean section in public and private hospitals, respectively. Conclusions: The preference for caesarean section is low among healthy nulliparous women in Buenos Aires. The reasons why these women had a rate of more than 35 % caesarean sections are unlikely related to their preferences for mode of delivery.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
In recent years, the rate of caesarean sections has risen all over the world. Accordingly, efforts are being made worldwide to understand this trend and to counteract it effectively. Several factors have been identified as contributing to the selection of caesarean section (CS), especially an obstetricians’ beliefs, attitudes and clinical practices. However, relatively few studies have been conducted to understand the mechanisms involved, to explore influencing factors and to clearly define the risks associated with the caesarean section on maternal request (CSMR). This comparative study was conducted to elucidate the factors influencing the choice of CSMR, as well as to compare the associated risks of CSMR to CS for breech presentation among Italian women. From 2015 to 2018, a total of 2348 women gave birth by caesarean section, of which 8.60% (202 women) chose a CSMR. We found that high educational attainment, use of assisted reproductive technology, previous operative deliveries ...
Do women prefer caesarean sections? A qualitative evidence synthesis of their views and experiences
PLOS ONE, 2021
Background Caesarean sections (CS) continue to increase worldwide. Multiple and complex factors are contributing to the increase, including non-clinical factors related to individual women, families and their interactions with health providers. This global qualitative evidence synthesis explores women's preferences for mode of birth and factors underlying preferences for CS. Methods Systematic database searches (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO) were conducted in December 2016 and updated in May 2019 and February 2021. Studies conducted across all resource settings were eligible for inclusion, except those from China and Taiwan which have been reported in a companion publication. Phenomena of interest were opinions, views and perspectives of women regarding preferences for mode of birth, attributes of CS, societal and cultural beliefs about modes of birth, and right to choose mode of birth. Thematic synthesis of data was conducted. Confidence in findings was assessed using GRADE-CERQual. Results We included 52 studies, from 28 countries, encompassing the views and perspectives of pregnant women, non-pregnant women, women with previous CS, postpartum women, and women's partners. Most of the studies were conducted in high-income countries and published between 2011 and 2021. Factors underlying women preferences for CS had to do mainly with strong fear of pain and injuries to the mother and child during labour or birth (High confidence), uncertainty
Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology, 2016
The rate of cesarean section (CS) for non-medical reasons has risen and it is a concern for health care. Women's preferences may vary across countries for psychosocial or obstetric reasons. A prospective cohort study of 6549 women in routine antenatal care giving birth in Belgium, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Norway or Sweden. Preference for mode of birth was self-reported in mid-pregnancy. Birth outcome data were collected from hospital records. A CS was preferred by 3.5% of primiparous women and 8.7% of the multiparous women. Preference for CS was associated with severe fear of childbirth (FOC), with a negative birth experience in multiparous women and with depressive symptoms in the primiparous. Women were somewhat more prone to prefer a cesarean in Iceland, odd ratio (OR) 1.70 (1.02-2.83), adjusted for age, education, depression, FOC, history of abuse, previous cesarean and negative birth experience. Out of the 404 women who preferred CS during pregnancy, 286 (70.8%) delivered...
Vaginal birth after caesarean birth in Italy: variations among areas of residence and hospitals
BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2018
The rates of caesarean section (CS) are increasing globally. CS rates are one of the most frequently used indicators of health care quality. Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) could be considered a reasonable and safe option for most women with a previous CS. Despite this fact, in some European countries, many women who had a previous CS will have a routine CS subsequently and VBAC rates are extremely variable across countries. VBAC use is inversely related to caesarean use. The objective of the present study was to analyze VBAC rates with respect to caesarean rates and the variations among areas of residence, hospitals and hospital ownership types in Italy. This study was based on information from the Hospital Information System (HIS). We collected data from all deliveries in Italy from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 and we considered only deliveries with a previous caesarean section. Applying multivariate logistic regression analysis, the adjusted proportions of VBAC for e...