Information for women after CS: are they getting enough?

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Maternal Health
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Rising caesarean section (CS) rates are a significant public health concern.
• Repeat elective CS is a primary driver of increased CS rates in Scotland.
• Limited research exists on women's perspectives and decision-making processes regarding mode of delivery after a previous CS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore women's involvement in choosing between a repeat elective caesarean section (CS) or a trial of vaginal delivery after a previous CS.
• To understand the factors influencing women's decisions on mode of delivery in subsequent pregnancies.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory, descriptive study utilizing a survey approach.
• A self-administered questionnaire collected data from 38 women recruited after 36-weeks' gestation.
• Data collected over an eight-week period from eligible participants post-medical decision.

Main Results:

• 60% of women (23/38) reported involvement in the decision-making process for their mode of delivery.
• Of those involved, 16 opted for a trial of vaginal delivery and 7 for repeat elective CS.
• A majority of women (69%) based their decision on non-clinical and personal issues, while only 39% cited medical factors.

Conclusions:

• Women's involvement in decision-making for repeat CS or trial of labour after CS is substantial.
• Personal and non-clinical factors significantly influence women's choices more than medical considerations.
• Further research is needed to fully understand and support women's preferences in childbirth mode decisions after CS.