Preference for mode of delivery in a low-risk population in Cape Town, South Africa

There has been an increase in Caesarean section rates in many developed countries with maternal request frequently being cited as a reason. There are few studies examining African women's preference for mode of delivery. The objectives this study were to determine women's preference for mode of delivery in a low risk population to describe the major reasons for their preferences.

Women over the age of 18 with a singleton low risk pregnancy were recruited during the third trimester. Two trained interviewers conducted a questionnaire in the women's preferred language regarding her preference for mode of delivery.

Of the 195 women that participated, 160 (82.1 %) indicated a preference for vaginal delivery, 5 (2.6 %) preferred a Caesarean delivery, and 30 women (15.4 %) were unsure about their preferred mode of delivery. There was a significant association between delivery preference and age, ethnicity and HIV status. Level of education, employment, income, relationship status, and parity demonstrated no statistical association. In addition, 106 (54.4 %) did not believe that women should be given the right to request a Caesarean section.

The majority of women prefer to have a vaginal delivery. In this low risk population, 15.4 % of women were unsure about their preference.