[German-speaking midwifes prefer vaginal mode of delivery to elective Caesarean]

Increasing ceasarean section rates are a world wide concern in obstetrics. One of the latest contributing factors is the elective caesarean section in uncomplicated singleton pregnancy at term. The preference for this mode of delivery was primarily brought forward by obstetric practitioners (Al Mufty, McCarthy, Fisk 1996). A questionnaire, which mainly aimed to ask germanspeaking midwifes in Austria, Germany and Switzerland about their personal choice of delivery mode, was included in one of the issues of the German-language midwifery journal "Die Hebamme". This questionnaire contained 5 half-closed/half open questions describing specific obstetric occurrences. The midwifes were asked to express their preferred mode of delivery and describe their reason for choosing. 446 questionnaires (12 %) were returned. The majority (100 %) of the german speaking midwifes preferred a normal vaginal delivery in an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy at term with a child in cephalic presentation. The rating was about the same (97 %) in the presence of general risk factors which don't indicate a primary caesarean section. Breech presentation and macrosomia are a matter of concern to the midwifes. Midwifes arguing for a first child in breech presentation or with macrosomia > 4.5 kg vote highly significantly more frequently for elective caesarean section than midwifes arguing for at least the second child. The first-rate reasons for the preference of vaginal delivery concern the natural and physiological way of delivery, the personal experience of delivery, the higher risks of caesarean section and the possibility of a later caesarean section in case of fetal distress during first or second stage of labour. Concerns are expressed about the maintenance of competence amongst practitioners, thus influencing the choice of mode of delivery in obstetrics.