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Factors influencing women’s choice of mode of delivery in rural Bangalore, India

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Author Details : R K Saxena*, Noor Fathima Tameem Ansari, Anju Balan

Volume : 6, Issue : 1, Year : 2019

Article Page : 71-77

https://doi.org/10.18231/2394-2754.2019.0016

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Abstract

Introduction: World medical community has raised concerns over the rising caesarian rates.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, hospital-based study to determine factors responsible for a woman’s choice of delivery, that is, caesarian delivery (CD) or vaginal delivery (VD). Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics, were interviewed with a structured questionnaire, and data was analyzed.
Results and Discussion: 266 responses were analyzed, wherein, 186 women preferred VD and 80 women preferred CD. The characteristics of women who chose CD as their preferred mode of delivery, were compared with the women who chose VD as their preferred mode of delivery. Age, religion, occupation, and economic status did not influence a women’s choice of delivery. Factors strongly related included educational status, wherein, more educated women were likely to prefer CD. Contrary to popular perception gravida, para, number of miscarriages or living children did not influence the choice of delivery. 90% of women who had previous CD, preferred CD for this delivery, they were not aware of the option for trial of labour after caesarian. 49% (n = 45) of the 91 patients delivering in private hospitals underwent CD, as compared to only 13% (n = 11) of the 85 patients delivering in government hospitals. The high caesarian rates in private hospitals is partly driven by caesarian delivery on maternal request.
Conclusion: Counsel the pregnant women regarding the process and benefits of normal VD, as well as the risks of unnecessary CD can influence patient decision-making and decrease CD rates.

Keywords: Caesarian, Vaginal delivery, Preference, Mode of delivery.

How to cite : Saxena R K, Ansari N F T, Balan A, Factors influencing women’s choice of mode of delivery in rural Bangalore, India. Indian J Obstet Gynecol Res 2019;6(1):71-77

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