Chitkasaem Suwanrath1, Sopen Chunuan2, Phawat Matemanosak3, Sutham Pinjaroen3. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. schitkas@yahoo.co.uk. 2. Department of Maternal-Newborn Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Increasing worldwide rates of cesarean section are of global concern. In recent years, cesarean births upon maternal request have become a hotly debated issue. Hence, this study aimed to explore maternal reasons for cesarean preference without medical indications. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted, using in-depth interviews with 27 pregnant women who preferred cesarean birth, attending antenatal care in Songklanagarind Hospital from September 2018 to June 2019. Data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Maternal reasons for cesarean preference were classified into six main categories: fear of childbirth, safety concerns related to health risk perceptions, negative previous birth experiences, positive attitudes toward cesarean birth, access to biased information and superstitious beliefs in auspicious birth dates. Most women had more than one reason for opting cesarean birth. CONCLUSION: Several reasons for cesarean birth preference have been elucidated. One striking reason was superstitious beliefs in auspicious birth dates, which are challengable for obstetricians to deal with. Obstetricians should explore the exact reasons why women request cesarean birth in order to prevent or diminish unnecessary cesarean births.
BACKGROUND: Increasing worldwide rates of cesarean section are of global concern. In recent years, cesarean births upon maternal request have become a hotly debated issue. Hence, this study aimed to explore maternal reasons for cesarean preference without medical indications. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted, using in-depth interviews with 27 pregnant women who preferred cesarean birth, attending antenatal care in Songklanagarind Hospital from September 2018 to June 2019. Data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Maternal reasons for cesarean preference were classified into six main categories: fear of childbirth, safety concerns related to health risk perceptions, negative previous birth experiences, positive attitudes toward cesarean birth, access to biased information and superstitious beliefs in auspicious birth dates. Most women had more than one reason for opting cesarean birth. CONCLUSION: Several reasons for cesarean birth preference have been elucidated. One striking reason was superstitious beliefs in auspicious birth dates, which are challengable for obstetricians to deal with. Obstetricians should explore the exact reasons why women request cesarean birth in order to prevent or diminish unnecessary cesarean births.
Entities:
Keywords:
Auspicious birth dates; Cesarean section; Fear of childbirth; Maternal request; Negative birth experience
Authors: Ana Pilar Betrán; Marleen Temmerman; Carol Kingdon; Abdu Mohiddin; Newton Opiyo; Maria Regina Torloni; Jun Zhang; Othiniel Musana; Sikolia Z Wanyonyi; Ahmet Metin Gülmezoglu; Soo Downe Journal: Lancet Date: 2018-10-13 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Mercedes Colomar; Newton Opiyo; Carol Kingdon; Qian Long; Soledad Nion; Meghan A Bohren; Ana Pilar Betran Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-05-05 Impact factor: 3.240