Factors associated with preference for repeat cesarean in Neyshabur pregnant women

Abstract

Background: Cesarean delivery is a surgery for deliver a baby. Women with previous cesarean delivery (CD) must often choose between a vaginal delivery (VD) and repeat CD. Our aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with preference for CD in Neyshabur pregnant women with previous CD.

Methods: A cross‑sectional study was conducted on all pregnant women (who had previous caesarean delivery) from February 20, 2011 to March 20, 2011 in Northeast of Iran (Neyshabur). Logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: The mean age of pregnant women was 29.95 ± 4.94 years. In this study of the 292 pregnant women, 235 (80.5%) said they prefer CD. There was a statistically significant relation between preference for CD and the following variables: pregnant women’s educational level (P < 0.001; OR = 3.86; 95% CI = 1.85-8.05) and doctor’s advice (P = 0.021; OR = 3.55; 95% CI = 1.21-10.43). The pregnant women with a previous CD presented four‑fold upper chance of choosing CD.

Conclusions: As observed in this study, most pregnant women with previous caesarean delivery prefer repeated caesarean delivery rather than VD in their subsequent pregnancy and educational level of pregnant women and doctor’s advice were important factors that influenced this preference. This subject suggests the need to counsel pregnant women with an obstetrician before select delivery type.

Keywords: Caesarean delivery, preference, pregnant woman, vaginal delivery