Mothers' views of their childbirth experiences 2 years after planned Caesarean versus planned vaginal birth for breech presentation at term, in the international randomized Term Breech Trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare mothers' views at 2 years postpartum after participation in a randomized trial of planned Caesarean and planned vaginal birth for a singleton fetus in breech presentation at term.


METHODS
In selected centres in the Term Breech Trial, mothers completed a structured questionnaire at approximately 2 years postpartum to assess their likes and dislikes about their childbirth experiences and their views about their intrapartum care and care providers.


RESULTS
Of 1159 mothers from 85 centres, 917 (79.1%) completed a follow-up questionnaire at 2 years postpartum. Baseline information was similar for both the planned Caesarean and planned vaginal birth groups. Planned Caesarean was associated with less worry about the baby's health (P < 0.001). While other differences were noted in likes and dislikes about their childbirth experiences, women's evaluations of the quality of intrapartum care, the helpfulness of staff, and their involvement in decision-making did not differ in the planned Caesarean delivery and planned vaginal birth groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Planned mode of delivery influences aspects of women's evaluations of their childbirth experiences but does not affect evaluations of the quality of intrapartum care, support from care providers, or amount of involvement in decision-making.
Hodnett
Ellen D
ED
Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Hannah
Mary E
ME
Hewson
Sheila
S
Whyte
Hilary
H
Amankwah
Kofi
K
Cheng
Mary
M
Gafni
Amiram
A
Guselle
Patricia
P
Helewa
Michael
M
Hutton
Eileen
E
Kung
Rose
R
McKay
Darren
D
Saigal
Saroj
S
Willan
Andrew
A
D001946:Breech Presentation; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000523:psychology*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires