title: Personal birth preferences and actual mode of delivery outcomes of obstetricians and gynaecologists in South West England; with comparison to regional and national birth statistics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine personal birth preferences of obstetricians in various clinical scenarios, in particular elective caesarean section for maternal request. To determine actual rates of modes of deliveries amongst the same group. To compare the obstetrician's mode of delivery rates, to the general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following ethical approval, a piloted online survey link was sent via email to 242 current obstetricians and gynaecologists, (consultants and trainees) in South West England. Mode of delivery results were compared to regional and national population data, using Hospital Episode Statistics and subjected to statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 68%. 90% would hypothetically plan a vaginal delivery, 10% would consider a caesarean section in an otherwise uncomplicated primiparous pregnancy. Of the 94/165 (60%) respondents with children (201 children), mode of delivery for the first born child; normal vaginal delivery 48%, caesarean section 26.5% (elective 8.5%, emergency 18%), instrumental 24.5% and vaginal breech 1%. Only one chose an elective caesarean for maternal request. During 2006-2011 obstetricians have the same overall actual modes of birth as the population (p=0.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ten percent of obstetricians report they would consider requesting caesarean section for themselves/their partner, which is the lowest rate reported within UK studies. However only 1% actually had a caesarean solely for maternal choice. When compared to regional/national statistics obstetricians currently have modes of delivery that are not significantly different than the population and suggests that they choose non interventional delivery if possible.
authors.affiliation: Speciality Trainee in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: klightly@nhs.net.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lightly
authors.affiliation: Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral, Merseyside, CH49 5PE.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: University of West of England. Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Narges
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dailami
authors.affiliation: Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bisson
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002755:Choice Behavior; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010298:Parity
keywords: Birth preferences; Mode of delivery; Obstetricians