What influences a woman to choose vaginal birth after cesarean?
OBJECTIVE
To discover what influences women in the decision to deliver via vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).


METHODS
Descriptive and qualitative, influenced by principles of phenomenology and using content analysis to describe the lived experiences of women who choose VBAC.


METHODS
Women were recruited from a postpartum unit in a hospital in the rural southeastern United States.


METHODS
Five women who had delivered via VBAC within 2 to 4 months before the study.


RESULTS
The major influences that affect a woman's decision to choose VBAC are described. The dominant themes found were the woman's sense of control in the decision-making process; physician encouragement for VBAC; and delivery type outcome advantages, incorporating physical and emotional factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Women are influenced by internal and external factors in their decision to choose VBAC. Their choices come from their personal experiences and should be encouraged by health care providers during all aspects of the childbearing process.
Ridley
Renee T
RT
Department of Nursing, Murray State University, KY 42071, USA. renee.ridley@murraystate.edu
Davis
Peggy A
PA
Bright
Jane H
JH
Sinclair
Donna
D
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000639:trends; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D009773:Obstetric Nursing; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D015144:Southeastern United States; D016064:Vaginal Birth after Cesarean / Q000451:nursing