Maternal reasons for requesting planned cesarean section in Norway: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal Health
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Maternal requests for cesarean sections (C-sections) without obstetric indications are a significant, debated issue.
• Understanding the underlying reasons is vital for developing effective interventions.
• This study explores the phenomenon in Norway.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively explore the motivations behind maternal requests for planned cesarean sections.
• To identify the factors influencing these decisions in the absence of medical necessity.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive qualitative study design.
• 17 semi-structured interviews with women requesting C-sections.
• 6 focus groups with 20 healthcare providers (midwives and obstetricians).
• Data analyzed using Systematic Text Condensation.

Main Results:

• Fear of birth, often linked to previous traumatic experiences, is a primary driver.
• Concerns about postnatal care and perceived risks (e.g., narrow pelvis, hereditary factors) also influence requests.
• Some requests lacked clear reasons or significant fear from the providers' perspective.

Conclusions:

• Maternal requests for planned C-sections are driven by complex rationales and life experiences.
• Previous birth experiences are a key factor, suggesting some requests may be iatrogenic.
• Targeted attention and healthcare are needed to address these complex maternal requests.