Knowledge, attitude and preferences of pregnant women towards mode of delivery in a tertiary care center

Authors

  • Shiny Varghese Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab
  • Smita Singh Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab
  • Gagandeep Kour Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab
  • Tapasya Dhar Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20163299

Keywords:

Knowledge, Attitude, Preferences, Pregnant women, Mode of delivery

Abstract

Background: Delivery mechanism is a spontaneous process and requires no intervention. Advances in medical technology in maternity care have drastically reduced maternal and infant mortality. Aim of the study was to determine maternal knowledge, attitude and preferences of pregnant women towards mode of delivery in a tertiary care center.

Methods: This was a prospective study conducted on 100 antenatal women in third trimester who attended the antenatal clinic in Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab from September 2015 to January 2016.The information regarding socio-demographic profile, obstetric history, knowledge and attitude statements towards vaginal and cesarean delivery was collected.

Results: Total of 100 women was enrolled in the study. Out of these, majority (47%) had secondary education. Majority of the women (89%) interviewed had positive attitude towards vaginal delivery. High rate of cesarean section was seen in patients with primary and secondary infertility as they thought that babies born by cesarean section are healthier than those delivered by vaginal delivery. The most frequently mentioned source of information about mode of delivery was family and friends. Almost half of women agreed to the statement that vaginal delivery creates a more affectionate mother and baby relationship. Economic factors play an important role in deciding cesarean birth.

Conclusions: Majority of pregnant women interviewed in our institution were keen to deliver vaginally, while the remaining women due to lack of knowledge or phobia of vaginal delivery wanted to undergo a cesarean section. Improving women’s knowledge about the risks and benefits of different modes of delivery can lead to a positive maternal attitude towards vaginal delivery.

References

Jansen L, Gibson M, Bowles BC, Leach J. First do no harm: Interventions during childbirth. J Perinat Educ. 2013;22(2):83-92.

World Health Organisation. Appropriate technology for birth. Lancet. 1985;2(8452):436-7.

Cunningham FG, MacDonald PG, Gant NF, Leveno KJ, Gilstrap LC, Hankins GDV, et al. Caesarean delivery and caesarean hysterectomy. In: Cunningham et al editors. Williams Obstetrics. 20th ed. Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange; 1997;509-31.

Vinueza CA, Chauhan SP, Barker L. Predictingthe success of trial of labour with simple scoringthe success of trial of labour with simple scoringsystem. J Reprod Med. 2000;45:332.

Kontopoulos EV, Ananth CV, Smulian JC, Vintzileos AM. The influence of mode of deliveryon twin neonatal mortality in US: Variance bybirthweight discordance. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005;192:252-6.

Sue M, Hannah WJ, Willan A. Planned caesareansection decreases the risk of adverse perinataloutcomes due to both labour and delivery complicationsin the term breech trial. BJOG. 2004;11:1065-74.

Linton A, Peterson MR. Effect of pre-existing chronic disease on primary caesarean deliveryrates by race for birth in U.S. military hospitals 1999-2002. Birth. 2004;31:165-75.

Wilkes PT, Wolf DM, Kronbach DW. Risk factorsfor caesarean delivery at presentation of nulliparouspatients in labour. Obstet Gynecol. 2003;102:1352-7.

Declercq E, Menacker F, MacDorman M. Rise in“no indicated risk” primary caesareans in United States 1991-2001. Cross sectional analysis. BMJ. 2005;330:71-2.

Najmi RS. An audit of caesarean section carried out in tertiary care maternity unit. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 1999;9:20-3.

Alimohamadian M. The effect of pregnant women’s request on elective cesarean section rate. Payesh. 2003;2(2):133-9.

Robinson-Bassey, Grace C, Uchegbu JU. Perception and attitude of pregnant women towards cesarean section delivery in University of Portharcoijrt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State. International J Res Health Sc Nursing. 2016;2(4):8-25.

Naithani U, Prerna B, Chauhan SS, Kumar D, Gupta S, Kirti. Knowledge, attitude and acceptance of antenatal women towards labor analgesia and cesarean section in a medical college hospital in India. J Obstet Anaesthesia Critical care. 2011;1(1):13-20.

Aali BS, Motamedi B. Women’s knowledge and attitude towards modes of delivery in Kerman, Islamic Republic of Iran. Eastern Mediterran Health J. 2005;11(4): 663-72.

Downloads

Published

2016-12-19

How to Cite

Varghese, S., Singh, S., Kour, G., & Dhar, T. (2016). Knowledge, attitude and preferences of pregnant women towards mode of delivery in a tertiary care center. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 4(10), 4394–4398. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20163299

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles