title: Preferences and concerns for delivery: an antepartum survey.
abstract: Little is known regarding patient preferences for method of delivery despite concern about rising cesarean section rates. We hypothesize that the majority of pregnant women desire a vaginal birth. An anonymous survey was distributed to pregnant women assessing demographics, pregnancy history, delivery preference, and concern for outcomes. Five-hundred fifty respondents completed the survey; 43% were nulliparous. The majority preferred vaginal delivery (89.6%). Reasons included reduced recovery pain (72%), scars (68%), and bleeding (48%). Cesarean deliveries were believed to cause more maternal injuries (39%), but affect sexual function less (35%). Nulliparas were more concerned about vaginal support damage (p = .005), sexual function changes (p < or = 0.001), and need for episiotomy (p < or = .001). Despite this, 93% of nulliparas chose vaginal birth. Increased parity was associated with preference for cesarean delivery (r = 0.108, p = 0.013). Despite nulliparas' concerns about complications of vaginal delivery, the majority of pregnant women would choose vaginal birth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bethesda North Hospital, 10475 Montgomery Road Suite 4G, Cincinnati, OH, 45242, USA. jessica.bracken@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jessica N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Bracken
authors.forename: Vicki L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Dryfhout
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Goldenhar
authors.forename: Rachel N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Pauls
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009820:Ohio; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies