Knowledge, Attitude and Preferences of Pregnant Women towards Mode of Delivery in a Tertiary Care Government Hospital

Abstract

Background: For a healthy women population, the choice of delivery option is an important decision. Expectant parents make many choices which usually include site for delivery (hospital, birth centre, or home), and the choice between spontaneous vaginal delivery and caesarean section. An increasing rate of births by cesarean section is an issue of concern in many countries. Despite the recommendations by WHO that no region in the world is justified to have a cesarean section rate greater than 10-15%, it is the most common obstetrical operation worldwide.

Objective: To determine maternal knowledge, attitude and preferences of pregnant women towards mode of delivery in a tertiary care center.

Methods: The present prospective study was conducted on 1000 antenatal women in third trimester. A questionnaire was designed for this study consisting of demographic data, obstetric history with statements for evaluating knowledge and statements for evaluation of attitude from past references and senior obstetricians. 

Results: The source of the information obtained by women regarding the modes of delivery was also tested. The most frequently mentioned source was family and friends followed by doctors. When enrolled women were asked about the knowledge of vaginal delivery complications, 46.8% were aware of sexual dysfunction as the complication of vaginal delivery, 31.9% women were aware of vaginal and perennial tears, 10.6% were aware of other reasons of vaginal delivery while as 10.7% said they don’t know. Caesarean section complications viz. related to surgery was known to 56.5%, 29.6% women responded positively to scar related complication 7.2% said anesthetic while as infection was answered by 6.7% women.

Conclusion: Poor educational status, patriarchy and lack of information about delivery greatly affect the decision making capability of pregnant women. In Kashmir, normal vaginal delivery is seen as mode of delivery in poor and caesarean as mode of delivery in upper class.