The Experience of Women Giving Birth after Cesarean Section-A Longitudinal Observational Study.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Sys, Dorota Kajdy, Anna Niżniowska, Martyna Baranowska, Barbara Raczkiewicz, Dorota Tataj-Puzyna, Urszula
Editor	Koshiyama, Masafumi
Copyright Year	2023
Abstract	Natural childbirth after a previous cesarean section is a debated issue despite scientific research and international recommendations. This study aimed to examine the experiences of women giving birth after a previous cesarean section, their preferences, and changes in attitudes towards childbirth after labor. This longitudinal study involved 288 pregnant women who had a previous cesarean section and completed a web-based questionnaire before and after labor, including information about their obstetric history, birth beliefs, and preferred mode of delivery. Among women who preferred a vaginal birth, nearly 80% tried it and 49.78% finished delivery by this mode. Among women declaring a preference for an elective cesarean section, 30% attempted a vaginal birth. Choosing a hospital where staff supported their decision (regardless of the decision) was the most helpful factor in preparing for labor after a cesarean section (63.19%). Women’s birth preferences changed after labor, with women who had a vaginal birth after a cesarean section preferring this mode of delivery in their next pregnancy (89.34%). The mode of birth did not always follow the women’s preferences, with some women who preferred a natural childbirth undergoing an elective cesarean section for medical reasons. A variety of changes were noticeable among women giving birth after a cesarean section, with a large proportion preferring natural birth in their next pregnancy. Hospitals should support women’s birth preferences after a cesarean section (if medically appropriate), providing comprehensive counseling, resources, and emotional support to ensure informed decisions and positive birth experiences.
Journal	Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
Volume Number	11
PubMed Central reference number	PMC10297878
Issue Number	12
PubMed reference number	37372923
e-ISSN	22279032
DOI	10.3390/healthcare11121806
Language	English
Publisher	MDPI
Publisher Date	2023-06-20
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). © 2023 by the authors.
Subject Keyword	parturition natural childbirth trial of labor labor after cesarean section vaginal birth after cesarean cesarean section
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Health Informatics Health Policy Health Information Management Leadership and Management