title: Women's knowledge of options for birth after Caesarean Section.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Australia, the Caesarean Section rate has risen from 21.8% to 31.1% (2010) in a decade; in South Australia the rate was 32.2% in 2009. Caesarean Section is a life saving intervention in certain circumstances, but also a major surgical procedure with potential adverse effects on both mother and baby. The aim of this study was to ascertain the determinants of knowledge regarding options for subsequent birth in women who have experienced a previous Caesarean Section with a live baby.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 33 women in South Australia who had a previous Caesarean Section were surveyed to assess their awareness of birth options and their advantages versus disadvantages as well as the possible factors influencing their information gathering and decision-making on birth options for their subsequent pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most women perceived Caesarean Section to be major surgery but 69.6% were not aware that babies might have problems with breastfeeding, 60.6% did not know the rarity of uterine rupture during labour and/or birth and 48.5% were not aware that a caesarean may involve any complications for the baby at or after birth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women's knowledge deficits relating to risks and benefits of birth options after previous caesarean can constrain them as most women chose caesarean rather than normal birth in their subsequent pregnancy.
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, City East campus, Centenary Building, Level 5, Room 48, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia. chemm008@postgrads.unisa.edu.au
authors: Meiman M
authors: MM
authors: Chen
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: Hancock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D017604:Cesarean Section, Repeat / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population; D016064:Vaginal Birth after Cesarean / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult